DRUNK DRIVING IS BAD, BUT THIS COULD BE WORSE

I love writing, and I write about many things. I try to only post encouraging, inspirational things on my blog, but once in a while, I need to vent. If it’s something I think needs to be brought to everyone’s attention, I’ll post it. I did that a few times in the past when I wrote about Common Courtesy and Unprofessional Professionals.

Well, now I need to rant about something that happens to me almost on a daily basis. Several months ago, after a near-miss with another driver, who was on my side of the road, in a curve, I tweeted a line that went something like this; “I’m tired of seeing someone, every day, jerk their steering wheel to get their car out of my lane, and back on their side of the road.” Rarely does a day go by that it doesn’t happen, and I don’t do that much traveling. Usually, the driver swerves in plenty of time, but I’ve had some close calls. It’s not the same driver most of the time either. It’s just becoming too much.

This morning I had the closest call yet, without being struck by the offending vehicle. I thought it was just the typical, everyday occurrence, but I guess the driver didn’t look up soon enough. They came within inches of us and almost side-swiped my Jeep. I’m not the best driver in the world, in fact, when I was younger I was pretty careless. Now, I usually drive as close to the edge of the road as I possibly can, and when another car gets close to me I don’t have anywhere to go except in the ditch. This morning, it was so close and fast that all I could do was hold the horn down and cringe.

When I first noticed the number of these incidents rising, I remember several times asking, “What’s wrong with people?” Well, I think I have it figured out. More and more drivers today are not paying attention when they’re behind the wheel. Sounds simple, but it really becomes more complicated when you think about the number of reasons they are distracted.

We all have a lot on our minds. Many people don’t get enough sleep. Many are talking on the phone, and way too many are texting while driving. These things alone are enough to cause plenty of wrecks and near misses, but as impossible as it may sound, there’s a much bigger and much more dangerous reason why many drivers are distracted these days.

I’m not trying to be funny, but many people on the road today are high. Simple as that. The majority of drivers today are on drugs. You may think that’s an exaggeration, but several major studies have shown that 70% of U.S. citizens take drugs every day. CBS News, reporting on one of those studies, had this to say: 

“Researchers find that nearly 70 percent of Americans are on at least one prescription drug, and more than half receive at least two prescriptions, reports CBS Atlanta. Twenty percent of U.S. patients were also found to be on five or more prescription medications.” 

“Often when people talk about health conditions they’re talking about chronic conditions such as heart disease or diabetes, Dr. St. Sauver stated in a Mayo Clinic press release. However, the second most common prescription was for antidepressants — that suggests mental health is a huge issue and is something we should focus on. And the third most common drugs were opioids, which is a bit concerning considering their addictive nature.”

Drugs not only impair thinking and reasoning, but they also cause reaction time to drop considerably. That’s for the ones who are on legal drugs and take them as directed. What about those who take more than the directions say? Then there are those who take other people’s prescription drugs and those who take illegal drugs. Now many want to legalize marijuana so they can drive around high, making the roads even more dangerous. Really, they don't even care anymore that it's illegal. They drive around smoking it all the time now. And that smell; People who smoke marijuana these days smell just like a skunk, and they're walking, and driving around everywhere risking their lives and the lives of others. I've heard all the arguments, but anything that makes you high is harmful and dangerous, and it definitely lessens the smoker's reaction time in traffic.

There’s more. These may not be as strong as marijuana and other narcotics, but Caffeine and Nicotine are drugs, too, and they adversely affect the brain as well.

I understand we all have problems. We all have aches and pains at one time or another, or all the time. Some pain may be temporary, some may be chronic, and sometimes it can only be controlled by medication. I’m not against medicine when used “as needed”. It’s sad though, that so many are on antidepressants. It’s the second most common prescription. I know depression is a serious thing, but I think many are often misdiagnosed. For the ones who actually do suffer from depression and anxiety, I don’t think pills are always the answer.

Many of the problems go away when we turn to Jesus and give everything to him. Studies have shown that people who believe and trust in God, have less stress than those who don’t. Things are just better when Jesus is in your life; When you know that you have a purpose in life. When you know that he's always there to help you, you can make it through anything.

So, if you’re on any medications, please take them as directed, and stop taking them as soon as your problem is gone. If you’re on strong medication that impairs your thinking, or your ability to stay on your side of the road when driving, then please park your car, and get someone to drive you where you need to go. Protect your life and the lives of others. Please, do it before it’s too late.

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UNPROFESSIONAL PROFESSIONALS

Recently, I had to take a trip to the emergency room. In giving the diagnosis, the attending physician used some foul language. It made me cringe so, that I was sure she saw my displeasure in my expression. Several months before that, the same thing happened at another emergency room when I rushed my friend there from work after she got her hand caught in a machine. That type of language is unnecessary, uncalled for, and UNPROFESSIONAL.

I realize it has become commonplace, but there are still plenty of people out there who don’t want to hear that kind of talk. I know I don’t. I remember many years ago when there was a lot of debate over foul language in TV, movies, and music. People who couldn’t care less said, “If you don’t like it, turn it off. That’s what the buttons are for.” I agree. What we and our children see and hear in the privacy of our own homes is up to us, but we shouldn’t have to be subjected to that kind of language everywhere we go.

I understand freedom of speech, and I’m all for it. I just think when you’re a professional, and you’re dealing with the public, you should be aware that there ARE people who don’t talk that way and are raising their children not to talk that way, and they don’t want to hear bad language or have their kids exposed to it. People who are serving the public should have respect for the people who come into their business. I know you want return customers, so how many do you think may not return because you use bad language?

I’m seeing it more and more in the professional world. I see it in emails I receive from professionals. I experienced it recently in a live training session. I see it in training videos, and lately, I’m seeing and hearing it on the news, and even from our elected officials. Totally unprofessional.

Beside the fact that it’s unprofessional, God tells us in his Holy Word that this kind of thing is unacceptable. It’s sad, but I see many Christians using foul language, and I’m not talking about just when they get angry or hurt, (which is not a good excuse either) but I’m talking about just in everyday life. Like my Grandmother used to say, “they cuss like sailors,” and they don’t see anything wrong with it.

I’m certainly not claiming to be perfect. I’ve said my share of bad words in the past, and I won’t swear on my mother’s life that I won’t again. I want to please God, though, and I need positive influences in my life. Whatever we hear and see regularly, that’s what we become like. If we allow our minds to be constantly bombarded by bad words, they tend to pop out of our mouths when we least expect it. The more we allow that to happen, the more it happens, until we’re just like everybody else. I know this to be true from my own experience.

While I’m talking to you “Professionals,” let me kindly say this: Just because my skin is the same color as yours, doesn’t mean I share your racist views about others whose skin is a different color. Please, keep your opinion on that to yourself, and just give me the service I’m paying you for. That’s the professional thing to do. By the way, there’s only one race; The human race. We’re all the same in God’s eyes.

Just a quick side-note to Christians. Stop putting other denominations down, and making fun of their beliefs. Stop calling them names, and ridiculing them because you believe differently than they do. Instead, pray for them, and maybe try and find some positive way to show them the truth you think you have. If you’ll study God’s word, you’ll discover that’s what we should be doing anyway, instead of acting like a bunch of little school kids who are being raised by Adolf Hitler. If you study the Bible every day, you’ll probably see that some of the things you believe are wrong as well. That’s all part of growing in Christ. We learn as we grow and we need to humble ourselves and realize there are others who don’t have the same level of biblical knowledge as we may have, and that there are others who are far more advanced than we may be.

We don’t all have to agree on everything to be kind to each other. That includes religion and politics. We all have our differences, and we all disagree with somebody, somewhere, on something. Some people are not always nice to others they disagree with, but disagreement doesn’t always equal hate or fear, and it’s okay to calmly tell someone you disagree with them. If someone says they disagree with you, don’t lose your mind. A soft reply turns away anger, but harsh words stir up anger (Proverbs 15:1).

Professionals, you need to act professionally. Show courtesy for your customers, and speak words of encouragement, instead of words that discourage them from returning to you in the future. This will help your business, and you as well, and it will go a long way in making our world a better place to live.

If you’re interested in knowing what the Bible says about how we should and shouldn’t talk, read “What’s Wrong With Using Profanity?”

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My Blogs
https://teddylynn.blogspot.com
https://teddylynn.wordpress.com

© 2016 Teddy Lynn – All Rights Reserved

My books are available in paperback and digital format on Amazon @ 
https://www.amazon.com/Teddy-Lynn/e/B01MZDB6L6