I got this idea while driving yesterday. a basic thought pattern, then backed up by a true story - a testimonial.
After reading, take a moment to see if you can think of others - OKAY?
SIGNALS
© - Tom Hyland - 02-26-09
What are some of the most important Signals that you trust your life with every day and night of the week?
What if they should fail? What if they ever got mixed up?
Do they ever? If so, is it really rare?
Do you have a clue yet as to what I’m talking about?
You could be a pedestrian walking in a downtown metropolitan city, or a little burg out in the boondocks somewhere - or perhaps you are a passenger in a car, a truck, a bus - or maybe even you are the driver?
Green - Yellow - Red - Walk - Don’t Walk -
Yep, you got it - TRAFFIC SIGNALS !
Have you ever thought about the fact that you have been so pre-conditioned, for so many years, that by sheer habit - you TRUST them with your life?
How many times have you sat in your car at a traffic light, anxiously awaiting, and watching for that ever-lovin’ mov’va to turn green? And when it does, you just stomp down on that gas pedal - ‘cause you’re in a hurry? Ever think what might happen if the opposing light did NOT turn red?
Or how about a more prevalent re-occurring scene, which happens all too often - some idiot RUNS his red light! KA-POW! KER-PLUNK!
Were just metals and plastics crushed?
Or someone’s SKIN and BONES?
Ever seen it happen? Ever experience it yourself?
I HAVE!
She ran a red light - I smashed into her - I had a witness sitting at the red light, facing the opposite direction - my lawyer settled it out of court - her insurance company paid for my car, my injuries, plus a $15,000 settlement - all done, right?
NOPE! Two years later, after our family had moved, I was up on a ladder, pruning a tree in my back yard, when a Three-Pieced Suit handed me a paper -
I was SERVED!
Another SHYSTER lawyer she found tried to SUE ME for $250,000 for Negligence - PLUS another $250,000 for loss of Consortium - Her and her old man couldn’t ‘get it on’ anymore!
They claimed I RAN THE LIGHT!
The day before the trial, we were gathered in the Judge’s chambers, for a last attempt to resolve the claim. The woman didn’t even bother to show up!
The judge told her attorney - “You tell your client she can have her day in court - but, quite frankly I don’t think she has a snowball’s chance in hell of winning - AND - the estimated Court Costs will be about $3,000 - which SHE WILL PAY!”
About two o’clock that same afternoon, my attorney called me - The case was DROPPED!
Are there other important signals? How about Health? A high fever - a cough - a pain in the chest, perhaps going down the arm? That important red liquid in our bodies - being emitted from either an upper or lower orifice? Just a Cold? Possible Heart Attack? Internal Bleeding? Clinically, they are called Symptoms - but aren’t they really Signals?
They should not be ignored!
How about just one more example?
Consider politicians - what Signals do they consistently give off?
C’mon, this is an easy one!
Put on your thinking cap!
How can you easily tell if a politician is LYING?
Tick-Tock - Tick-Tock - Tick-Tock …
Pause … Ponder … Think … Wonder …
And the answer is …
Drum Roll … Para-diddle … Para-Diddle …
HIS MOUTH IS MOVING!
Peace - Tom
© - TKH
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We are quite foolish, aren't we! And besides traffic signals, we have railroad crossing signals and barrier gates. I once sat very impatiently at a railroad crossing, and when that gate finally lifted, I gunned it, and I barely made it across before a train almost nailed me going the opposite direction. I guess there was a malfunction on that train's track. Now, when that gate goes up, I sit, and I very cautiously look both ways - no matter how many impatient people are waiting and honking behind me.
You know, we grow so dependant upon the signals always being there. Then, one day, something changes. And the change kills us. We coulda shoulda woulda paid attention ...
Ted