A Precautioned Light

A precautioned light protects others from danger and harm.

Don't get me wrong, there will be times when one doesn’t protect another. However, once a mistake is made or a failure is incurred one should learn and lean into a precautioned state. It is a personal responsibility that impacts others.

It’s how we respond to mistakes and failures that will have us reflecting our precautioned light as we respond proactively to face the next challenge.

Many times we assume what is right or wrong and don’t take time to listen to others who are directly impacted. It is not until we are the ones facing the danger or challenge that our precautioned light begins to shine.

Would if we listened, learned and acted before it directly impacted us?

We are facing a pandemic, racism, violence...I could keep going.

in these times...

What questions am I asking of those who believe different than me?

Am I blaming and shaming others before trying to understand?

What have I learned from past challenges?

How do I take care in advance?

How do I prevent harm?

​How do I take responsibility for my own choices and how it impacts others?

Initially I planned to make this post primarily about safety, earlier in the week I posted the following video.

As I walk this morning finishing my blog, my initial plan changed.

I am thankful that my son was wearing a helmet. I am thankful that he feels safe riding a bicycle in a neighborhood. I am saddened by the death of Ahmaud Arbery.

​it’s easy to step back into the comfort of our white privilege. As I walk this morning for Ahmaud my heart is broken for my black friends, colleagues, and strangers.

​Today is not a moment, it’s a MOVEMENT. I’ll say it again for those who didn’t hear me - It is to easy to step back into the comfort of our white privilege - Stay in the fight - shine your light- listen, read, learn, act.

​The Cambridge Dictionary defines precaution as something that is done to try and protect a person or thing from something dangerous or harmful.

I think it is time for us to think about times we’ve made mistakes and failed and ask ourselves, “How did I listen?, What did I read, What did I learn?, How did I act?”

For us to take care of those closest to us as well as those who we don’t know, we must ask ourselves, “What am I doing to protect those closest to me and those that I don’t know from something that is dangerous and harmful?”