Driving toward work, I had my eyes on the horizon.  Today was going to be a great day.  I had a plan to get a lot done.  I was going to rock my to-do list.

Approaching an intersection, I looked up and saw a yellow light.  My mind pondered the question, “To go or not to go,” that was the question.  Then from the corner of my eye, I spotted a wild card.  Something that would play a deciding factor.  A police car off to the right, who was waiting to cross the intersection.  “Risk a ticket or not to risk a ticket,” that was now the question.

Weighing the risk for a long second, I applied significant pressure on the breaks.  All of the items on my passenger’s seat flew to the floor below.  The hair on top of my head shifted forward.  My eyes focused on the light.

Coming to a complete stop barely within the crosswalk, the light turned red.  The police car proceeded across the street.  I knew that the ticket had been ready to be written.  My fate most certainly would have been sealed with paper and pen.  I could feel it.  I had resisted the crime.  I had avoided the punishment.  I had made the right choice.

Now, it was time to exhale, relax, and wait for green.  My to-do list could wait a few seconds more.  No need to race ahead.  Best not to run the yellow.