We have all done it. Broken a rule.
We have rules. We break rules.
However, rules are there for a purpose . . . to protect us all.
If I drive drunk, and, I hurt someone . . . I must face the consequences. Please, please, do not drive drunk. That said, if you break this safety rule, or any safety rule, then do what is right. Express your regret, take responsibility, and, accept the consequences. It was your decision that hurt someone. It is easy to blame others. Don't. Place the responsibility where it belongs.
An easy way to remember this is the 3 R's: Regret, Responsibility, and Remedy.
Remember, if you break a safety rule, you are at fault. Period. You chose to drive too fast. You chose to drink and then drive. You chose to operate when you knew you were not qualified for the procedure. You chose to do whatever the safety rule is designed to protect against.
If the safety rule is, "don't drive too close so you can avoid an accident", and you break that rule - you are at fault. Accept it. Regret it. Tell yourself, "I should have stayed a safe distance away from that dogsled (or car, motorcycle, etc.)".
If you do not regret it, then you will never be able to take responsibility for your actions.
Responsibility. That's a big word. It is hard to say, "It was my fault. I am so sorry." However, not only will it make the victim feel better, it will help you feel better. If you run over a 5 year old child crossing the street because you are on your cell phone, you will not be able to even begin to forgive yourself until you admit and accept responsibility for your decision to endanger everyone around you as you talked on your cell phone while driving.
You must be fully responsible. That is what is required.
Finally, there is the remedy. If you hurt someone, and you have taken full responsibility, you are only partially finished. You have to have make up for the harm you have caused. If you don't, if you leave a family caring for a comatose victim of your mistake, without providing full care and compensation (be it directly, through insurance, or doing whatever you can to help), it will eat at you for the rest of your life.
I did something wrong as a child, about 9 or 10 years old. If I had been caught and punished, I probably would not remember it today. But I wasn't caught. I "Got away with it". And it haunts me to this day. It wasn't anything major. No crimes were committed. But, I never expressed regret, I never took responsibility, and I have never attempted a remedy.
I guess it is time to call my old friend and fess up.
