At first, your parents might not have noticed your sly rule breaking, and when they did notice, their reaction potentially set a precedent that would stay with you for your entire life.

If they laughed and said it was was cute, “but don’t do that again!” . . .

Perhaps they put you in time out – or spanked you – or took away privileges.

“You’ve just lost your ice cream treat this afternoon!”

Whatever the consequences, you likely tested again.

Was the result the same . . . or different?

Next, you might test Daddy’s tolerance for this rule infraction?

Was his response consistent with Mom’s?

Way back then, you were learning how to break the rules.

It’s been said that “rules are made to be broken” . . . That’s certainly true for toddlers.

It’s also true for us adults.

Give an inch, and we’ll take a mile, eh?

July 1, 2019 the state of Tennessee enacted a new law. NO driver can touch a cell phone with any part of their body while operating a motorized vehicle. I have seen MANY drivers holding their phones in the past 2 weeks. These adults are “testing” the authorities. This is gambling as if you’re a 2 year old.

Let’s break this rule and see what happens. If we are “rewarded” by no punishment, we’re likely to continue to do it just as we are so willing to exceed the speed limit and roll through stop signs.

This is the mentality that: “It’s OK to break the rules as long as you don’t get caught.”
So . . . If you’ll do this rule breaking while driving, will you also do so in other parts of your life?

Will you cheat on taxes or sneak forbidden food while on a diet or set goals and say you completed them when you haven’t?

I’ll admit to being “guilty as charged” occasionally.

Here’s the kicker . . . I ALWAYS know when I’m bending (Breaking) the rules (so do you) . . . a few years ago, I decided this is not OK because of the “precedent mindset” that gave me permission to fudge occasionally, so I upped my game of committing not to comprise MY standards . . . and I affirm every morning that I will always do the right thing and will always listen to that little voice of awareness that tells me I’m on the dge of acting like a 2 year old.

Published by Barry Owen

Strategist-CEO of Pareto Realty Real estate sales Professional Inviter-Facilitator-Practicer of Open Space Technology Opening safe space for people & organizations to self-organize around issues & opportunities BarryOwen.US Invite-Listen-LoveView more posts