Does it Pass the Katie Couric Test?
Posted: Saturday, December 01, 2007
by Rachelle Disbennett-Lee, PhD
True Direction, Inc.
There is no one who doesn’t have a past; everyone has done things in their past that could be seen in a negative light. No life history looks perfect under close scrutiny. There are always actions that, when put under a microscope, could put a blemish on someone’s life. No one is perfect, and when a life is examined closely that becomes painfully clear.
With this knowledge of how the past creates my future, when I’m considering whether I should take a certain action or not, I use what I call the Katie Couric test. Before performing a questionable action, I ask myself whether I would want to be on national television being interviewed by Katie Couric and have her ask me a question about what I am thinking of doing. The answer tells me whether I want to follow through or not. This is also referred to as the “Mom" test. The question to ask here is would you want your mother to read about your actions on the front of the daily newspaper. Asking yourself questions on how you would view, or how others would view your actions, will help you decide whether to proceed or not. The whole idea is not to make decisions or take action in a void. Think through what you are doing and be very honest with yourself about whether you can live with your action or not. This really is the true test: can you live with your actions without regret?
The past never really goes away. Although it is a place we don’t want to live, there are times when it will come back to visit. The best way to deal with the past is to live each day to the fullest and to participate only in actions that you can live with. No one is perfect, life isn’t perfect and we all make mistakes. But if, at the end of the day, you are at peace with the actions you have taken, then the past may come back to visit, but it won’t haunt you.
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Top-level comments on this article: (3 total)Rachelle, How are you? Nicely done piece of writing. Justifying oneself can be a problem. I remember when I attended church on time that a couple said, " We haven't seen you at church lately!" I replied with, "Oh yes, that's because I haven't been here." Have a wonderful holiday season.
hi rachelle, good article, and so true. right now, i think i battling the past, the present, and the future! but once done, i will be free, best regards, sue thom
Excellent advice, Rachelle. I gave nieces and nephews that same advice. I encouraged them to think what their Mom would say about the result of their decisions and choices. I also added, usually if you had to ponder the decision, it's not likely what should be done. I feel doing the right thing comes easily as it relates to morals and ethics. I also feel faux-friends will define you by your past but true friends will define you by your destiny. They former sees the skeletons but the latter sees your potential. (I adore Katie Couric, so she's a good litmus test for me as well!) Thanks for a great article.
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