I thought this was unbelievable, but it's true.
On average, security guards arrest 2 people each week at Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson Airport for carrying firearms through security.
These are not terrorists.
They are "NORPS."
That's "Normal Ordinary Regular People Screwing Up."
The acronym was coined by Clayton County Solicitor Keith Martin. He is the official who prosecutes the cases.
Usually, these are business travelers who often drive and carry a weapon for protection. They grab their already-packed bags, head for an infrequent flight, and forget to leave the weapon at home.
The next most popular excuse is that a NORPS stored the gun in a seldom-used bag.
This is followed by "I didn't know."
These offences are misdemeanors. Most cases result in a ticket, a fine of several hundred dollars, some community service, and a lecture from a judge.
Substantial jail time is rare, although an overnight stay is common.
I don't have gun, but if I did, I would be capable of such absent-mindedness.
So I find other, more benign ways of being a NORPS. I lose keys, glasses, my wallet, and anything else that is not attached.
Occasionally, we are all NORPS, with varying degrees of seriousness.
Whenever you are a NORPS, treat yourself kindly and laugh about it, at least as soon as possible. Allow yourself the human experience of screwing up and living to tell the tale.
If you don't, you give any critical and self-destructive tendencies a good reason to pummel you unmercifully. They will use the incident for something darker and more sinister than evidence of absent-mindedness or a mental lapse.
They will construe the human act of screwing up as evidence of incompetence, chronic ineptitude, and a lack of brains.
Make peace with the occasional reminders that you are human.
Otherwise, you will end up shooting yourself in the foot.
About The Author
Copyright 2004 by Tony Papajohn.
Tony writes and speaks on success. Subscribe to his free SuccessMotivator e-zine at http://www.successmotivator.com.
http://www.successmotivator.com
Oswego taxi to Midway ..For centuries Protestant Christians have argued that you can reach... Read More
Plants of all kinds (including trees), herbs and roots have... Read More
A number of years ago, I had the rather unique... Read More
If you're so smart, why ain't you rich?Becoming a millionaire... Read More
Hello again! I have some more useful tips you can... Read More
Everyone wants to be successful. Everyone wants to have more,... Read More
Have you ever met people who exude charm and charisma?... Read More
(excerpted from the book Seven Strategies for Wealth and Happiness)Wouldn't... Read More
The secrets of our body language have been around forever... Read More
If you have read this far, we both know you... Read More
Your Head, think about what you want and move towards... Read More
Response means "to answer" and that idea, in its purest... Read More
Napoleon Hill, the famous inspirational writer, once met a reader... Read More
Formula For SuccessThe winners in this life know the rules... Read More
Want to make success a habit in your life? If... Read More
In the film 'The Rock', Sean Connery takes a dim... Read More
Something For You To Consider?How To Create What You Want... Read More
Self-esteem is very important. It is the way we view... Read More
Does the thought of failure send a cold shiver down... Read More
"The mind grows by what it feeds on." J.... Read More
What do you need to do to be successful? If... Read More
The sun crept over the horizon and lodged itself above... Read More
You have complete control over your thoughts. Thought patterns develop... Read More
Want to be successful in whatever it is you choose... Read More
Clown around Among the Plains Indians, heyoka, or sacred clowns,... Read More
shuttle from Midway Morris ..There are so many internet marketing schemes out there so... Read More
When Julie looks through the lens of her camera she... Read More
Periodically re-check and refine (or redefine) your goals It's no... Read More
Whenever I ask people this question, "what do you really... Read More
The gambling instinct is in every man or woman. All... Read More
Picture this scene: Little Johnny's mother places a large piece... Read More
So many of us want success, but how many of... Read More
We're all adults, and most of us probably like to... Read More
What do Sam Walton, Ray Kroc, Hilton, Marriot, Firestone, Elvis... Read More
Do you still keep that all important 'Inner Spark Alive'?... Read More
Are you ready to finally realize your dream? I'm talking... Read More
Self-change is a personal phenomenon. In order to accomplish it,... Read More
All too often, people pursue a vision of material success... Read More
One of the main reasons that may hinder us from... Read More
Recently, I have been riveted by the amazing reality show... Read More
Ask yourself the following:1. I have created a life-strategy plan... Read More
There's always a first time to meeting people. We want... Read More
The ultimate expression of life is not a paycheck. The... Read More
Please repeat these four words out loud: "Maximum Impact....Minimal Touch"... Read More
Back in my early marketing days, finding the magic ticket... Read More
One way to become more successful in your life is... Read More
We live in the information age, dominated by the development... Read More
Successful people do not achieve success on their own, they... Read More
However there is one success secret that costs nothing. And... Read More
A More Effective WayI own a stack of self improvement... Read More
Success |