Doing

I like to choose a word for each new year, and I’ve decided that my word for 2019 is doing. I want to focus not on missed opportunities, but remembering that I can choose to do something now. I want to see the word doing and remind myself to take steps and make progress, because every step toward a goal is important. I hope it encourages me to be proactive- proactive in lots of ways. Prayer, rest, exercise, kindness, work. Honestly, one thing I want to result from a focus on doing is to become an expert mom. In my six short years in the professional world after college, before having my son, I experienced a huge learning curve with each of the jobs I held. I learned that adjustments must be made,  and things get easier the more often you do them, but without applying yourself, your ability to do a job can only reach a short distance and have a minor impact. You have to do something to become an expert. I can say I have experienced a job where I applied myself wholeheartedly, and a job where I did not, and oh my, what a difference. So as a stay at home mom, a professional mom, if you will, I hope to apply and stretch myself this year specifically to becoming a more organized, more FUN, and definitely a more educated mama.

Something that has been on my mind a LOT is what it takes to make something happen. It takes planning, and talking about it, and eventually, of course, doing whatever it is. The importance of, “talking about it,” is a huge step, in any situation, really. And I haven’t been able to shake thinking about this one specific need our community, really our country, has right now that we REALLY need to talk about. So, in the spirit of doing, doing something good for my son, since this has been on my heart so heavily, I want to seize the opportunity to say something and hopefully encourage or inspire you with these words, although you might feel uncomfortable with what I have to say…BUT PLEASEEEEE read it, you might save someone’s life or your own if you do.

I’ve always been a worrier, it is a monster I wrestle often. Since having a son I have all kinds of new worries. I spend time thinking about which side of the car my son’s car seat is safest on, and which side is most likely to get hit. On the road often I find myself holding my breath as people swerve out of their lane, or if I’m stopped ahead of them and I see them behind me, not slowing. I honk at cars and they don’t notice. As I drive past, usually I see a phone and their head face down, texting and driving. I actually think about this constantly, and tend to take mental surveys while I’m driving by people, of how many of them are on their phones while driving. IT IS MOST OF THEM. Please friends. I am pleading with you to take a pledge not to text and drive. It is so dangerous. I believe it is the most foolish, dangerous thing you can do, actually. 1/4 of driving fatalities are a result of distracted driving. More than 3,000 people die EVERY DAY as a result of car accidents. I know someone who deals with the guilt and horrible pain of killing two (young) people while driving because he was on his phone. Can you imagine the physical and emotional toll your body would go through if you killed someone’s child? Did you also know that texting and driving is against the law in the state of Florida? For all of my Bible believing friends, now knowing this, actually makes texting and driving….sinful? I firmly believe our lawmakers, law enforcement, and leaders have done a poor job addressing such a huge problem. I can’t believe how accepted it is to do this and how much this problem has been ignored. But friends. Imagine if we SAY SOMETHING and we DO SOMETHING about it. What if you stop texting and driving, and when you’re in the car and your friend is driving, you ask them not to, too? And what if you’re a teacher, and you inspire SO many kids, and you introduce this basically new idea to them, and they accept it? And maybe they say something to their parents, aunts and uncles, or friends. Do you know how many lives could be protected  if people started believing this is a problem? I am crying now. I do not want it to be my son’s story that he was in an accident. I do not. Please stop making videos, going live, taking pictures, and texting while driving. You might save someone’s life. Please encourage the people around you to do the right thing, too. Thank you for reading this burden that has been placed on my heart. I think a change can happen if we talk about it. #whatareyoudoing #donttextanddrive