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
You have been preparing for months. You are in position... Read More
I am going to tell you something you already know... Read More
Effective listening is almost certainly the most important communication skill,... Read More
Fighter pilots have an awesome responsibility. It takes a unique... Read More
Jim Rohn, the success guru and mentor, said, "Failure is... Read More
1. Clearly define what you want and what is most... Read More
Have you ever thought about how you want to live,... Read More
What is a champion really? Sure, all success oriented people... Read More
I'll be the first to admit that everyone has his... Read More
Succinctly said, success is harmony. When the result is congruent... Read More
All too often, people pursue a vision of material success... Read More
Greatness is all around us. From Oprah to Bill Gates... Read More
I could labor the idea but then that would only... Read More
When you analyze the traits of successful people, you will... Read More
"And when it rains on your parade, look up rather... Read More
A couple days ago I was listening to a CD... Read More
There is no substitute for direct personal application. Information or... Read More
Often just one self-help principle can increase your power to... Read More
I've just sent an email to my mailing list based... Read More
Congratulations! You are the president of your own nation, and... Read More
Whoever first said that knowledge is power was probably selling... Read More
Success starts in your mind. Positive Thinking creates the advantage.Success... Read More
Reading is an integral part of our daily work lives.... Read More
Two weeks ago we took a look at the power... Read More
A number of years ago, I had the rather unique... Read More
People often ask me, "Josh, if you had one bit... Read More
Greatness is all around us. From Oprah to Bill Gates... Read More
If it comes to the question what we really want... Read More
Identity theft!We've all seen them. The commercials use the voices... Read More
What is an ANT? An ANT is an acronym for... Read More
The 72,500 men, women and children sat in an uncomfortable... Read More
You can achieve whatever you want by incorporating the following... Read More
No matter how young or old you are, you must... Read More
I have found that sometimes the subtle difference in our... Read More
"Don't get caught up in the how of things. If... Read More
Every man who accomplishes things sees first in his mind... Read More
I was talking about my business to a stranger the... Read More
Being busy has become a way of life for many... Read More
Frederick W. Smith attended Yale University and wrote a paper... Read More
For every disciplined effort, there are multiple rewards. That's one... Read More
As a golfer and coach, I've been thrilled to watch... Read More
The title of this article also happens to be the... Read More
Many different daily tasks require a strategic process to be... Read More
Do you believe that? Do you believe we can all... Read More
I see it happen all too often on the internet... Read More
"You will be the same person in five years except... Read More
Freedom is the deeper meaning, the foundation behind all of... Read More
The ultimate expression of life is not a paycheck. The... Read More
In my private practice for the past 13+ years I... Read More
The Law of Experience"Success comes from good judgement; good judgement... Read More
Success |