the cheese just slid off your cracker

Things happen when you least expect them

You are happily driving down the road

Listening to your favorite music

Laughing and joking with your wife

When you notice blue flashing lights behind you

A heart stopping moment

You pull over to the side

She says you drank too much at dinner

You tell her to stay quiet

Winding down the window and hands on the wheel

The state trooper approaches

You were doing 45 in a 30

You decide not to argue and just say sorry

License and registration please

He takes the documents back to his patrol car

She says he is going to do a sobriety test on you

You politely ask her to stay quiet

The officer returns moments later

Thrusting your documents towards you

Next time slow down he yells

As he races back to his patrol car

Then speeds off lights and sirens blazing

That was a stroke of luck you say

He must have been called away on something more important

She just rolls her eyes

You take a deep breath

Continue driving home but without the music

Dark unlit roads and it starts to rain

She says promise me you will drink less at dinner

Yes dear you answer without sincerity

That was not luck you think to yourself

It was just mean to be

As you take a tight turn

A deer runs in front of you

You swerve but still smash into the deer

The car spins off the road

Sliding into a ditch

Nobody is hurt but the car is stuck

Still think you are lucky? she says sarcastically 

You drive too fast when you have been drinking

Soon after you see flashing lights approaching

The cheese just slid off your cracker

A guide to being honorable in the chaos of today’s world

Photo by Brett Jordan on Pexels.com

Have a strong sense of values

stand up for what is right and clearly identify when something is wrong

be authentic and lead by example

don’t get involved in unscrupulous activities

Help other people

if you feel safe, stop for those in need at the side of the road, don’t wait to be asked

be compassionate to those who ask for help

volunteer for a cause 

be a good listener

be charitable

don’t expect something in return

Keep your promises

always deliver and do it well

Earn it

work hard for your paycheck

don’t expect to get something for free

be respectful to others at ALL times 

Be honest

always tell the truth when asked

be tactful when the truth will hurt others

Be a mentor

show others the right path to take

be available to answer their questions

    give encouragement when due

Nobody is perfect

try to improve on your own flaws 

don’t always point the finger at everybody else’s flaws

Do not humiliate others

resist the temptation to mock those who are embarrassed

Be a good loser

shake hands with the person who beats you at sport, in a sale or a competition

be sincere in your congratulations