Never Assume

Ruth Ann Collett is one of the best teachers I ever had. She was a science teacher by trade and a philosopher at heart. I got the chance to work with Mrs. Collett years later when I was teaching. She is a remarkable lady who taught me a lot. One lesson many of Mrs. Collett’s students can probably recite from memory is “Never Assume!” She would write it on her board and begin to underline as she enunciated loudly. “Because it makes an ASS out of U and ME!” As young high school freshman, a teacher saying “Ass” was both thrilling and scandalous. But the lesson stuck with me all these years later. And with good reason, because it is a valuable one. Making assumptions and taking things for granted is as easy as it is dangerous. We all assume that when we turn the faucet in the kitchen, water is going to be there. We expect the lights to turn on and food to be in the fridge. We assume our job will be waiting for us on Monday and take for granted that our check will show up on Friday. But…What if? What if a water main breaks? Or the power line falls? Or there are layoffs at the office? What would you do? Have you given it any thought? Having backup plans and multiple options is always a good idea. I’m not suggesting you become a doomsday "prepper". But you should be prepared for situations as they arise. My dad loves the saying “Prior preparation prevents poor performance!” We should all hope for sunny weather, but there will be a storm rolling in at some point. So, do you have a few flashlights and an umbrella handy?