Nov 15 2008
Why Didn’t I Think Before I Acted?
Why Didn’t I Think Before I Acted?
This entire series of “Why Didn’t I” is turning into a month of Reflection and Regret. There were so many times in my life that I “acted” first, and thought about it afterward, i.e., too late.
One time, in college, I bought nice little necklaces with a pearl in a little cage for FOUR girls! What was I thinking? Not only did I look like a fool, the girls refused to wear them once they discovered that it wasn’t an exclusive gift. In fact, they threatened to just throw them away. Why didn’t I think how they would feel?
One time, when my sons were ages 9 and 11, my girlfriend decided to help them give me a little surprise birthday party. (I was a single parent.) But I knew what was up. The three of them had been acting “wierd” for a couple of days. They “made up” some excuse for me to go to the store, and while I was gone they planned to quickly bring in the gifts and cake from the girlfriend’s car. I drove off….but quickly drove around the block and passed by the house while they were bringing in the presents, etc! I waved as I drove by…smugly, I suppose. They stared at me. When I returned from the store…there was no surprise birthday party. In fact, there was no birthday party at all. They wouldn’t even talk to me because I had ruined their surprise. My girlfriend later demanded to know: Why Didn’t I think before I did something like that? 
There were many quiet days over the next week.
I guess I brought a lot of unhappiness upon my family and myself because I often “Didn’t think before I Acted.”
But then, I imagine you have have too.
Tomorrow: Why Didn’t I Develop a Real Hobby?
Yesterday: Why Didn’t I Become a Wood Butcher?
