Jumping to Conclusions
Oh, my goodness. That is so bad-- that you have a dirty mind-- but I could not resist.
I am guilty as the next person at jumping to conclusions. Some days, that's all the exercise I get.
For example, when I was in college, we had a large, shared bath/ shower room. When I'd go to shower, I'd leave my post-shower kit (contact solution, moisturizer, etc.) sitting on the ledge above the sinks. One time, I got out of the shower, dug through my basket for my moisturizer and it was gone.
Evidently, someone stole it.
It was there yesterday. Gone today. My brain started running through all the girls on my floor trying to figure out who was the thief. Sure, I knew and loved them all, but somewhere in this gang of friendlies was someone who obviously couldn't be trusted.
Then I went back to my room and there it was-- sitting on my desk.
I wasted precious minutes of my life thinking like a suspicious bitch. Thinking of all the people I knew and thinking bad things about them.
Now, maybe that doesn't seem like a very big deal. But what if I'd opened my mouth and told someone else someone stole something from me? I'd have cast suspicion on people based on nothing more than my own carelessness.
I always think of this moment when I am ready to jump to judgment.
It's always better, always wiser, to take a deep breath and consider the facts before taking action.
Thanks to our hosts Lexa, L.G, and Tonja Drecker for this weekly good things check in!
2. Son #4, Conner, was diagnosed with suspected staph sores from playing football. As a loooong-time football mom, this revelation didn't even ruffle my feathers. Been there, done that-- why does no one sell a tee-shirt? But word spread around town and there was some panic.
3. Yesterday was the first day of fall. I never look forward to fall, but I do enjoy it once it's here. West Virginia may be at its most gorgeous in the fall.
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Yup. always stop and think before opening mouth.
ReplyDeleteGlad your mom is doing better.
It's a lesson I have to remind myself over and over. I am very prone to letting my mouth work quicker than my brain.
DeleteI thought this was going to be a post about how editing is a stupid pastime because you always read what you want to read. I'm editing, can you tell? Glad your mom's doing better :-)
ReplyDeleteLOL. That is a good point too. No one should be there own editor. We fill in all the gaps we need to and can't honestly censor ourselves.
DeleteThe part about jumping to conclusions being the only exercise you get totally cracked me up. Thank you for the reminder, though, to take those extra few seconds and think before we speak/act.
ReplyDeleteSending good thoughts to your Mom!
If only it burned calories!! I'd be sooo skinny.
DeleteYes I've also got a dirty mind. It made me smile.
ReplyDeleteWonderful post and awesome pics.
Yvonne.
I've got a dirty mind too. Blame my mother- she raised me that way.
DeleteI never lose anything...since I'm chained to my desk. (Please call the authorities)
ReplyDeleteNow, when the FBI comes crashing in, don't you say I jumped the gun!!
DeleteYes I misread it, misread the second sentence too. Glad your mom is doing better. Love the fall pix. Gets pretty lovely in Canada too at this time of year.
ReplyDeleteI misread it so much, I was half afraid to use it. But then I thought...live on the edge a little. LOL
DeleteFall is a gorgeous season. I hate sending my kids away, but the beauty of the scenery is a nice consolation prize.
Online I let it fly from the cat. Otherwise I keep my mouth shut.
ReplyDeleteWell now, when you have a cat to blame- why not use him?
DeleteHeheheh, I do love how the mind works to reorder letters in the most logical manner. I jump to conclusions all the time, though I mostly keep them to myself. I try to always keep my fingers shut online though. ;)
ReplyDeleteI have learned from being wrong so very, very many times to even wait a few hours before opening my mouth is enough to realize I'm way off base.
DeleteYup, definitely been glad I kept my mouth shut at certain points of my life:) And if West Virginia looks that beautiful in the Fall, then I'm going there tomorrow! :)
ReplyDeleteIt is that beautiful and more. Come on out! I'll give you a tour. :)
DeleteVery well said. It's amazing how the mind always jumps, not just to the wrong conclusions, but to the worst ones. Glad your mom is continuing to improve. Lovely photos! Happy Autumn!
ReplyDeleteYou know you're right...I hardly ever jump to a positive conclusion. I have to train my brain to be positive by flogging it into submission. What's up with that?
DeleteThose fall pictures are so pretty. My mother accused my brother of borrowing and losing her portable speakers recently. Turns out it was under her bed. OUCH! All the best to your family and those in recovery.
ReplyDeleteI've done that. One time, when I was working, I went on a rant to our office manager that people were always stealing the pens off my desk and she informed me that I had about ten pens sticking out of my ponytail. When I'm done with a pen, I shove it in my hair. I probably looked like a mad porcupine.
DeleteSo happy to hear you mom is feeling somewhat better.
ReplyDeleteAs I'm blog hopping on watching my nephew playing high school football on TV. It's so nice because its a cold and drizzly night. But I usually like to go to the games.
Love Autumn in all its glory.
we have played some schools that have live internet feeds. That's so awesome. We don't have that, but our team ha been game of the week twice this year, so they were televised then.
DeleteOr does your nephew play for the NFL? Share the details :)
The East coast is absolutely stunning in Fall. It's still hot here and I'm impatiently waiting for cooler temps to arrive. I'm sorry your son's sick, and I hope it clears up real quick. I have to admit I'm a jumper-to-conclusions, and I have a tendency to air my feelings, too. I wish those were my only flaws... Have a good weekend!
ReplyDeleteI, for one, think you're the bomb-diggity. One of the sweetest on-line people I know.
DeleteOh, I jump. I'm just slowly learning to keep my mouth shut. And my son is fine. All healed up and back to good as new...all but the knee...he twisted it Friday night. Got to love football.
Hi Elizabeth, glad your mom is doing better. I too have the habit of jumping to conclusions, but nowadays I'm trying to let go off that bad habit, by trying not to overthink a situation or jump to any conclusion at all.
ReplyDeleteYou're a wise woman, Rachna. I try to remind myself to take a deep breath and think it all through before flying off the handle. That really does help.
DeleteI've never heard of staph sores or knew that was a problem with football (or other sports). I suppose it's scary because staph infections have been fatal in hospital settings?
ReplyDeleteGood bit about not jumping to conclusions. Whenever something goes missing in our house, I blame my husband. He is so used to it, he jokes, "Yeah, I took it to work. Sorry." Even when it's a broom, or a oven mit, or whatever.
Staph can be very bad. There are some strains that are resistant to antibiotics and can be lethal, especially in hospitals where there are people at high risk- like the sick, elderly, and small children. That's why any time it's suspected, it's treated aggressively. And it is very common in sports because in sport there is body to body contact.
DeleteThat's funny about your husband. My husband is a bit of a ranter. I learned long ago to just say, "Yes, dear. You're right, dear." It calms him down.
Oh wow. What breathtaking photos! That's good news about your mom, but not-so-good news about your son! I didn't know that was an issue! As for jumping to conclusions, I've done that myself. One day I couldn't find my wedding ring and I assumed I'd left it on my desk at work. When I got there and it was gone, I assumed the cleaning people had stolen it. Turned out, it had been at home in my jewelry box--it just fell down where I couldn't find it. Good thing I only accused the cleaning people in my head, but you're right--that's just wasted energy!
ReplyDeleteAlmost exactly the same situation, only yours could have been way more costly. I suppose it's just human nature and we'll have to fight it- or at least keep our mouth shut until we have all the info we need to make accurate accusations.
DeleteI totally read those wrong. Ha!
ReplyDeleteI've jumped to conclusions, too. Sometimes we can't help it, especially if it brings hurt feelings, which has to do with insecurity.
Those are lovely pictures. Autumn is my favorite season. :)
I think that's an excellent point. I bet it is tied to our insecurities. I never really thought of that. Thanks, Chrys!
DeleteGlad your mom is doing better, I hope she continues to improve.
ReplyDeleteThat's a great reminder not to jump to conclusions. I try not to, but when you've been burned it's hard not to jump to that conclusion in the same situation.
FWIW, I didn't read the first line wrong. I read it over and over and couldn't figure out what it was trying to say until I finally read the third line, then went back and found out how I'd read the second line wrong, then applied it to the first line. I'm a little slow.
Either that or you're a good editor!
DeleteI think when we've had a situation burn us, it is only natural to be on the alert. It's a self-preservation thing. I suppose the key is, not opening your mouth and voicing your theories until you have proof. We won't be able to stop the brain from trying to stop us from being harmed.
Yeah, jumping to conclusions will get me into trouble faster than most anything. I'm happy to hear your mom's improving. Love the pics!
ReplyDeleteThanks Donna!!
DeleteIsn't it funny how our brain rearranges letters (and even numbers) so they'll make logical sense to us? Believe it or not, our ears do the same thing. I have some hearing loss, and the doc told me it's normal for the brain to "fill in the blanks" so we can make sense of things we only partially hear. Sometimes, the results are pretty funny. (And annoying to other people, I'm sure.)
ReplyDeleteToo bad we don't live closer and hang out, Susan. I have that same problem with my ears. My dad warned me I'd regret all that loud music in my youth.
DeleteI actually have a line in TIMELESS that warns against the dangers of assuming. (Or was it Soulless?) It's one of those things we come to as we get older, eh? If only we could ingrain that wisdom younger.
ReplyDeleteThat is one good thing about aging...wisdom and patience.
DeleteAh, I'm taking a deep, relaxing, breath having gazed at that waterfall picture.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the wise words about (not) jumping to conclusions, Elizabeth. Love ya.
Deep breaths are so good for the soul.
DeleteLove back at ya!!
Oh my! I definitely read that first picture wrong! Lol. And I've done that once—assumed someone had stolen something from me (something VERY expensive) and then it turned out I'd hidden it somewhere other than where I thought. Boy, did I feel sheepish, so glad it turned out to be false!
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear your mother is doing better. What are staph sores??? Are they from a staph infection? Why would people be upset about that? It's not contagious, right?
I think the sores came first and then they got staph in them, which complicates healing. It's my understanding that we come in contact with staph all the time. And some of those bugs are worse than others. When players have injuries and there are worse than normal staph bugs around, it can cause problems. It is infectious, but usually you need to have a wound already and rub that wound on someone else- something that does happen in a contact sport, so that's why it's treated aggressively. But it's not airborne or anything.
DeleteI've made the mistake of jumping to conclusions just like you did... but luckily I usually have time to think before I act! I love the 'dirty' mind quote at the top!! LOL!!
ReplyDeleteSuzy xx
The missing moisturizer story was a great reminder of how fast we all make those hasty conclusions. Hope Connor is all better now and everything is fine at your house.
ReplyDelete