Always wear clean underwear in case you get in an accident.

Have you ever thought this through?

(1) If you’re in a minor accident, there is no need for anyone to see your underwear.

(2) If you’re in a major accident, (a) you’re not going to care whether or not someone sees old or dirty underwear, or (b) you’re going to have dirty underwear because of the accident!

I know many people in healthcare, including those who work in emergency rooms, and I have never heard a single one of them say in an appalled (or any other) voice, “Can you believe she was wearing dirty underwear?!”

Here’s my revised advice:

• Don’t drink and drive.
• Don’t text and drive.
• Don’t change clothes and drive.

Yes, there’s a story. Truth be told, the person wasn’t driving and changing clothes. The husband was driving, and my friend was changing clothes. She’d bought a new outfit and just had to change into it. After all, it was much cuter than what she had on. As she changed, her husband glanced – repeatedly – in the rear view mirror. And he got a bit…excited. Before he knew it, he was pulled over beside the road waiting for the policeman to approach the window – while my friend finished wrestling herself into her clothes. When the policeman asked if there was a reason for the rush, my friend’s husband shared the whole story. A smirk and one speeding ticket later, my friend and her husband were on their way.

While I haven’t tried to change my clothes while driving, I’ll admit to trying to multitask way too much while I’m driving. Multitasking requires a shared focus and can be a good thing in some situations. But not in situations where a single-focus is essential – like driving.

In what situations do you most need focus?

How would you rate your focus in the situation(s) you listed?

• My focus is like a laser beam. Nothing can distract or deter me.
• I do okay sometimes, but sometimes I feel like I’m watching for dozens of dodgeballs being thrown at me at once.
• I struggle with focus. It’s like trying to choose one kind of ice cream in a mega supermarket freezer aisle!

When you need to focus, write yourself a note that says FOCUS. Write it. Read it. Say it. As your mind wonders, focus on the word. Say it out loud. And focus!

Keep your eyes focused on what is right, and look straight ahead to what is good. Proverbs 4:25