I don’t text and drive. A lot of times I’ll text at a stoplight, but I don’t text while driving on major roads. I NEVER text on the interstate because that would be crazy.

The other day my wife and I were going to dinner and I started texting while I was driving. I had good intentions. We were almost at the restaurant and I wanted to give her my full attention at dinner.  The next day we were leaving from a doctors appointment and I started texting in the parking lot.  She gently reminded me that I was driving precious cargo and that Oprah would be very upset with me (Oprah has a NO Phone Zone pledge that asks people to not text or talk on the cell while driving). 

In my mind I tell myself that I don’t text and drive. I try not to do it often, but my actions with my wife show that I’m a triver (I made that word up. It’s a texting driver) addict. 

Is it AA that says the first step is to admit you have a problem? Denial is convincing. It’s easy to view myself as one thing, but really be something else.

A lot of times when someone makes a HUGE public mistake they will say something like, “I know I lied, but I’m not a liar,” or “I am not a bad person,” or “I know I got caught but this isn’t who I am.”

The question is how many times do you have to do something before you admit that it is who you are? We like to hide behind denial but it’s a thin shield that everyone can see through. Whether it’s an addiction, a bad behavior, or an ugly sin what we do is who we are.

I can no longer say that I don’t text and drive. I’ll try to do better, but my actions prove that it’s in my blood. It’s who I am. I can deny it or I can try to work on it.