impact

How often do we think about the short- and long-term impacts of our actions? It's tough and sometimes a bit obsessive, but I always try to consider how my words and actions are going to be received. Thoughtfulness is a trait that my mother ingrained in me when I was little, and now it's just part of who I am. Sometimes it's quite effective, and other times it can be paralyzing. As with all things, balance is essential with thoughtfulness.

Consider, for example, what was going through this person's head this morning, when he ran a red light, slammed into another vehicle crossing the intersection, and the force of the impact drove both cars off the road and into a middle school student riding his bicycle on the sidewalk to school. Perhaps the driver was texting on their phone, or late for a meeting. Whatever the situation, it's clear that our red-light-running-driver was not thinking about anyone other than themselves. For some selfish reason, this idiot decided that the rules did not apply to them and ran a red light and has hospitalized three people, including a child on his way to school.

A little forethought could have prevented this from happening. We all tend to get wrapped up in our own worlds and lose sight of the larger picture from time to time. Usually the impact of our selfishness isn't quite as traumatic. And yet I still think it's a powerful practice to think about our actions and where they'll lead every once in a while. Who knows, perhaps a butterfly really can flap its wings in China and start a hurricane in the Atlantic.