One of my first jobs in life was as an Apprentice Carpenter working for a small contractor building single family homes. It was here that I learned a lesson that grew in importance as the years and life experiences passed. That lesson is the Carpenter's Rule. It's a simple statement: "Measure twice, cut once."

Think of situations in your life were you could have, but didn't, apply this rule. Another way to put the Carpenter's Rule is: "Think twice, speak once." Does that help you think

of a time you might have said something in haste you wish you hadn't said? Another version is: "Think twice, act once." Haven't you acted impulsively only to regret it almost instantly?

I try to remember the Carpenter's Rule when I have to make life decisions. I still make mistakes, but not because I didn't think twice. I shudder to think of how many more mistakes I could have made if I hadn't thought twice. This might be something for you to consider the next time you have a decision to make or are in a family discussion.