Today when I was quickly backing up my iphone to my icloud, I rushed through a computer window that said “Are you sure you want to do this?” After I hurriedly selected “yes,” my stomach dropped. What had I done? Maybe I should have read that warning a little more?
I am always grateful that my husband is my 24/7 help desk for computer related issues. However sometimes I do try to be self-sufficient when it comes to my IT needs.
Luckily it all turned out fine this time. But it made me think about how familiar I am with the phrase “Are you sure you want to do this?”
This is not only a phrase that my computer sometimes asks, but also a phrase that goes through my head often, right before I do something that I know better than to do.
For example, when I: paint in a new outfit, balance on the top step of the ladder, pull a tag off instead of using scissors, read my phone while I am going down my stairs, try to iron or steam my clothes while they are on me (did I just admit that?), or hurriedly use super glue only to glue a couple of fingers together. All of this provides much amusement for my husband and kids, but it does not usually end well.
I’m almost always in a hurry when I ignore the “Are you sure you want to do this?” commentary in my head. I usually end up with paint on my pants, a hole in my new shirt or a new bruise on my leg as my prize for not listening to my self that knows better. This is all part of the ongoing battle between the impatient, compulsive half of me that is rebelling against logic and prudence and the more responsible, logical half of myself that knows better.
Today I’m grateful that I didn’t lose any information on my computer or iphone, and that I didn’t do many “Are you sure you want to do this?” things today. Except for not allowing enough time to get my Mom to an appointment while conquering an interstate under construction on a Friday after 3 p.m. Luckily Mom had no idea that she had a crazy person driving her. My old Mom would have had a conniption on that harried ride to the doctor. But instead she just smiled with my big dark sunglasses on her little face as she went through every item in my center console. And we made it just fine.
Do you ever do things against your better, “Are you sure you want to do this?” judgement? And how does it usually turn out?
life on wry 
My funniest memory about you – in one of the “Are you sure you want to do this?” moments was when we were in San Francisco for a client presentation, and after shopping for clothes one afternoon, you got back to the hotel to discover that the theft protection device was still attached to your pants! Because you insisted on wearing the new pants that night – you tried to pry off the plastic tag yourself. Only to release a bunch of black ink on your new pants! Hilarious – do you remember that? So funny …
How could I ever forget that moment and so many other crazy moments of that trip such as the harrowing cab ride when I swear we caught air as we crested a San Fran hill.
Its a crap shoot. Sometimes I listen and other times I don’t and often wish I had. All too often I hear myself saying “I knew that was going to happen. Something inside me said not to do it/say it and I did anyway.”
Ah, but it all works out. Lessons learned right?
I seem to listen to that whisper and obey it now that I’m older and I’ve learned to say no.
I used to ignore that whisper in my head, the one of caution & reason. As I have gotten older, I take heed and listen real clear now..
I like to think those questions — whether on screen or in my head — are God’s way of speaking to me.
Are you really sure you want to …. (fill in the blank)? Sometimes I listen; other times, I ignore that little question (and often end up regretting it).
Good post. Glad you made it to and from your Mom’s appointment without incident!