RED FLAGS

Who decides?

What do you think of when you hear of the color red?

Red light? Stop 

Red rag to a bull? anger 

Red flags? These are waved on race car tracks when conditions are too dangerous to continue down the road. 

Or on the beach, as a warning, the waters are not safe.

Nowadays, It has a different meaning; it's a common term to stay away from a person,

don't go anywhere near?

Run for the hills?

The signals have warned you.

Ok, let us take it back. You are walking on the beach, you see a red flag and unsure of what it means, you ask the lifeguard, to which they explain why the flag is there, strong currents, large waves, dangerous coral, or even sharks. Maybe the lifeguard stook it up as he wasn't up for a heavy workload? (we have all done it)

What? Haven't you taken short corners in work before?

So now you are faced with a choice. 

Are you confident? after the explanation by the person who put up the red flags that you are a strong enough swimmer if indeed there is a strong current, or if you fancy your chances against a shark (mad f*cker)

But the sea looks lovely and refreshing, I've never seen a sea quite like it, and sure I won't go too deep (you can see the analogies just flowing) (no sea pun intended there).

I love the sea, and the sea loves me yada yada.

So, let's change the sea to a prospective new partner.

What happens when they show their red flags? Do we walk away or even run away? Or trust someone else's opinion of them?

Are we inclined to form our opinion on someone because of another person’s judgment before our own?

Do we ask the meaning of these "red flags"? 

Ask them to explain their reasoning behind them?

Do you find out as much as you can to be able to make that choice as to how confident you are as a swimmer ( we are not talking about the sea anymore)

Your confidence as a person (swimmer)

To protect yourself against getting hurt (currents)

The fear of being made feel like a fool (eaten by a shark)

To risk your heart getting broken (drown)

With the proper communication, asking the right questions about the dangers allows that choice, and if, in fact, you still feel you can take on the ocean (analogy) and calm those waters, then that is your choice.

Remember, someone has drowned in every ocean that we swim in, is that a reason to stay out of the water?

Sometimes we run away or avoid things that seem to be a bad idea or choose a different path without gaining full knowledge to allow us to make the correct decision for ourselves.

But sure, don't take my word for it; I wouldn't be the strongest swimmer. 

But I do love the ocean. (this is not an analogy, or is it?) 

It is Your choice.... do you sink or swim.

Thanks for reading

Marcus