A Complete Stop

On the road, there are lots of 4-way STOP signs, but not many 4-way SLOW’s. SLOW is highly subjective. How slow is slow? 5 miles per hour? 10? 40? If I pay closer attention instead of reducing speed, does that count? A driver can justify nearly any behavior to themselves. Once you open the door to anything other than a stop, it’s easy for that behavior to gradually escalate into something very different. In comparison, a stop is a stop. The car either came to a halt, or it didn’t. Likewise, for some things, there’s a big difference between doing it most of the time and doing it all of the time.

• I tell the truth vs. I tell the truth most of the time.
• I don’t run red lights vs. I don’t run red lights very often.
• I don’t steal vs. I rarely steal.
• I wash my hands before surgery vs. I usually wash my hands before surgery.

Power and conviction come from knowing where you stand on an issue.  And for some things, it’s helpful to draw a clear line in the sand.