Paying for Our Own Mistakes
As I write this, my arm hurts, my back hurts, my shin is black and blue... My back, neck and right hip? They all hurt. Sometimes I'm just oblivious to my surroundings...
I'd like to start my diatribe with an oft overused quote, "In my defense...", but the fact is, I just wasn't paying attention. It was raining and I had just come back from getting the mail. I was all excited about my new Netflix movie arriving and SLAM! Wet shoes on slick tile don't mix - this I learned as I took a spill, landing half on the stoop, and half on the floor. I could do nothing but lie there in tears for several moments, while my husband did all he could to comfort me.
I'm now painfully paying for my ignorance. I'm paying for not paying due attention to my surroundings and potential hazards. As with just about everything else, it reminds me of all the other times I've fixed mistakes caused by store owners who were just as excited (or perhaps devastated over loss of sales) to implement new functionality or design.
Just like our own bodies, our online stores need nourishment and care. They need our attention (which is why you shouldn't make changes when you're deprived of sleep...but that's another story). Our stores rely on us to watch out for obstacles (like security loopholes and data vulnerability). Our computers rely on us for maintenance (scanning for viruses and other potential risks). When we ignore our surroundings, someone pays the price, and it's usually ourselves.
I think you get the point. You need to learn from my mistakes. If I had broken my arm, where would this column be today? If I'd shattered my hip, I'd still be in a hospital bed. Of course, I'd still have a movie to watch - which is the only reason I trekked out to the mailbox during a heavy rain to begin with.
After I was iced down and felt I could walk about, my husband and I went to the store and bought a small rug for right inside the door. It's one of those things everyone needs, but it's hard to justify buying yet another $15 item for the home that you don't think you really need. Lesson learned.
