If three--then me.

“Dang it! This is my third speeding ticket this week! Why is this happening to me?”
This statement summarizes my concept of “If three, then me.” If you read the above statement, it is ridiculous. The statement suggests that there is someone out to get you, that you’re unlucky and helpless in the situation. It suggests that God is mad, or some force is working against you. When in reality, you’re speeding, if you weren’t, you would not have received one ticket, let alone three.
This stands as a stark example of what some people do with their entire lives. They blame bad situations on bad luck, mean people or a rude staff member; a bogus piece of merchandise, a bad apple, wrong directions…

“There’s a glitch in this game!”
“The cards are fixed.”
“My boss is a jerk!”
“My wife’s a nag!”
“This house is falling apart—all at the same time!”
“I don’t have enough money!”

The list goes on.
So often when we feel like things just aren’t going our way, if we step back we can trace the negative events to something we have done. The “If three, then me” rule is a good thing to follow.
If you are feeling scorned three times a month by tellers, cashiers, Home Depot workers, etc. Then maybe it’s your attitude that’s the problem.
If you are getting reprimanded more that three times, then maybe the boss isn’t out to get you, maybe you’re doing a bad job.
If you have three different people cut you off, or zone out while you’re talking, maybe they aren’t all rude, maybe I—I mean you—talk too much!
If three people comment on your behavior, maybe their right.
If you think three different friends have wronged you in a short period of time, maybe you’re too sensitive, overreacting, or unsympathetic to others schedules.
If you get in a loud conversation often, then maybe you’re the one who needs to calm down.
If your wife is a nag, maybe you’re not giving her enough love.
If your house is falling apart, maybe you weren’t keeping up with the repairs.
If you’re out of money, maybe you spend too much.

The problem with putting the blame on outside forces, we lose control of the situation. If we find the blame in ourselves, it’s a chance to grow, and change. Don’t run from blame, look for it—and grow from it.

It’s all right to make mistakes; it doesn’t make you a bad person.

Sometimes, no matter what we do, bad things can happen, and it’s not our fault; but if three—then, maybe, just maybe…it’s me.
Something to think about this week, I know I need to.

Trev