What is your first reaction when you hear an accusation about someone? Especially if you hear the accusation in the media or on social media. Too often, we allow the media the privilege of deciding for us the guilt and innocence of those featured in their stories.  

Charged does not mean guilty. And while the media is always eager to report on someone being charged, they seem to take their time telling us when charges are dropped or a person is found to be not guilty. That is, if they bother at all. Unfortunately, even when they take the time, the retraction is usually buried on page 101, and besides, we were convinced of the person’s guilt with the first story. 

I don’t know if it’s human nature or what, but I’ve decided to try and take the high road to believe in people’s innocence until they are proven guilty.

And if they are guilty? Well, I’m a big boy; I’ll get over it. But if they are innocent, they’ll know that I, for one, didn’t believe the worst about them. I have decided that I want to go from “I can’t believe they’d do that” to “I don’t believe they did that.”

Have a great week, and remember: To see what is really possible, you will have to attempt the impossible.