The Gift of a Speeding Ticket

A few months ago, I recieved my first ever speeding ticket. At first, I was upset. It became obvious as the police officer was writing the ticket that it was a speed trap, because another person was also pulled over by another police officer. I was also annoyed that my perfect driving record had been damaged. Not many people can say they've never recieved a ticket after driving for twenty years, after all. 

After a few minutes reflection, however, I began to see that this ticket was a gift. Once I took a hard look at myself, I realized that I had been driving a bit carelessly. I allowed my children to be a distraction to the point that I wasn't aware of how fast I was driving. I was using my cell phone in a way that probably wasn't safe. (I live in Idaho, where it is legal to talk on the cell phone while driving.) I was, in fact, quite deserving of that speeding ticket. This wasn't an easy thing to admit. Once I did admit it, this acceptance led to a change in my behavior. The gift of the speeding ticket was a chance to change my bad habits before I hurt myself, someone I loved, or a stranger. 

I paid my ticket online, and I promised myself that I would stop indulging in the bad habits that had contributed to my speeding ticket. I've done it too. I was able to make a change that has probably saved myself and others a lot of pain and heartache. 

When we face frustrating and difficult situations, it can be hard to ask ourselves what we contributed to those situations or what we should change in our behavior. Sometimes those situations can present us with the gift of the chance to make real and lasting change. 

When have you experienced a similar wake up call about your own behavior? How can we help those we mentor use experiences that are difficult to change for the better?