What would you do?

  I wrote this almost three years ago. But in recent weeks, several events have occurred make the topic even more relevant today. With that said.....I hope you don't mind reading this again and asking yourself the question "What would I do?"

    I have come to the conclusion that most of us walk around in  total denial. We deny that we are overweight or that we spend too much money on useless 'things." We make all kinds of promises that we have no intention of ever keeping, and when confronted or challenged as to why we did not keep the promises we are quick to blame it on someone else or that the weather was bad or the moon was in the wrong position in the sky.
   Sometimes living in denial can have life threatening consequences. What would you do if you knew that a neighbor or friend was living a lifestyle that eventually would kill him or her. You discover that the neighbor or friend had been and still continues to be an abuser of drugs, perscrition to boot! What would you do? The family knew something was wrong. but... Do you do or say nothing and hope that something miraculous happens and the person does not die of an overdose or from some other health complication caused by the abuse?
    What would you do if you found that a child of a friend or relative was involved in criminal activity? Would you report the activity to the police or say something to the family?     
     What would you do if you discovered that someone you knew had become an alcoholic. Would you ride in the car with him or her after they had "spent a night on the town"? Would you allow your children to ride home with them. After all, it's only about one mile to the house?
     You discover that a good friend of the family has become an obsessive gambler, entering the local  casino daily. You have seen him  stealing money from friends and family. What do you do?
     On  recent trip the the grocery store you notice a car parked in the shadows of the building. The car belongs to the most popular teacher in school. In the car not only do you see the teacher, but see see a young student as well. Should  you approach the vehicle, call the police or just ignore the situation and deny that anything is going on, After all it is really none of you business, right?
     What would you do if you found that someone you knew and admired was the victim of domestic violence or child abuse and too scared to come forward  or worse, was not the victim, but the person doing the abusing? Would you confront them, would you call the police or continue to live in a state of denial and hope that no one 'gets really hurt'? I think the events at Penn State illustrate what many would do, because so many who knew just took the easy way out and looked the other way!
     What would you do if you discovered that your child was the victim of emotional abuse from a spouse or partner. Would you step in to protect them knowing what you might be risking?. And what if you were wrong?
     There have been too many examples in the news, too many tragic stories told about what happens when people are reluctant to face the facts. But confrontation is hard. It hurts, not only the person you are confronting, but it is also painful for you.
     Now I can deny that my hair is falling or that I have gained an extra pound or two. I can argue that I really needed the two new pair of pants and shirt, when in reality I could be perfectly satisfied with what I already owned. These are not life or death issues,
      But what would you do if confronted with a life or death issue?

? Would you deny it and look in the other direction?