Photo Credit: © Can Stock Photo Inc. / mandygodbehear
My daughter was pulled over once for running a red light and the officer asked to see the title and registration. She simply said, “Oh, that’s in a shoebox under my dad’s bed, but just give him a call.” Her reply resonated with the officer (also a father, fortunately), who suggested the documents might be in the glove box. When she discovered they were, indeed, in the glove box, her response was something like, “Well, look at that.”
Yes, I have spoiled my children. Guilty as charged, but with the best of intentions, I promise you. However, in perpetuating that type of coddling, I have extended the myth that someone, somehow, somewhere, and in some way, ensures things are always fair. The fact is, they are not, and we as humans are often ill-equipped when things go wrong.
For example, you are standing before an ATM terminal after midnight and the machine eats your card. There’s no one to complain to, no one to yell at, no one to provide instruction, no way to pass the problem onto the next person. Should you leave? What if the next person pushes the button and your card pops out? Should you stay? It’s late and you are alone in the dark. What are you supposed to do?
