Opting for forgiveness over fear.

All households have their own dynamic. A commonality amongst some L.E.O.s is superstition. These rituals can simply cover up what most are afraid of, not returning home at the end of the workday. Regularly choosing forgiveness over the fear of admitting our truths might just be the help we need.

Life is hectic.

It seems that after the age of 12 we seem to just get busier and busier.  Actually, I can think of a few adults whose working habits can easily be rivaled by a social networking, gamer type, preteens any day.  No less hectic is the family life of the law enforcement professional.  Hollywood has it as harried mornings of dry toast and, oh so not personalized burnt black coffee.  Dash of skim and one Splenda please!  For some of us in the work force it is not an 8am rush but maybe, a 1pm hustle or, the 10pm tiptoe. 

Calm mornings aside, what we do have if we are blessed with ‘em, is the family we are parting ways with, in order to begin that workday.  The family that encouraged us to follow our goals, or the ones that outright said they cannot get behind our choice to apply out of fear of losing us.  These are our loved ones, and what we say to them in these crucial moments matter.  Created purposefully or simply rolled into, we have our rituals.  Kisses, hugs, “smell ya laters”, it is all personal; it is you. 

Then enter the job. 

After one minute on said job you are dipped into the pools of superstition.  “Don’t say ‘slow’, or ‘quiet’ kid!”.  Do not be the one to jinx all into a violent or busy shift.  You will be blamed for as long as the stories created can be retold.  I believe superstition is one of the ways we voice our fears, the fears we don’t actually intend to admit. 

If we admitted anything, we would tell our loved ones on the way out the door “I know we are both pretty tight right now, but babe I love you.” We would opt for forgiveness, but that sentence is hard. Not only because of the pride you have to choke down with the burnt toast, this is only worse because someone just handed you a Hollywood style cup of joe.  Now you’re choking and in the five seconds you have left to walk out the door you are confronted with your mortality and the question of what lies ahead while at work.  So, when offered that loving good-bye, we roll all those thoughts into, “Say ‘See you later’ instead!”. 

Another option.

While we are all struggling to do our best, we do know the moments that are most important; not the big birthdays or holidays but the small moments with those most important to us. I remind you that we can try to slow these seconds down, chose forgiveness in remembering what truly matters.   

Chowder! 

“Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.” 

Proverbs 12:18

Interested in reading more? Check out our blog by clicking here. Have something to share? Send us an email or check us out on Facebook.

---