Took a licking, and it stopped ticking...

Ever wish you could have a "do-over?"

You know, those times you do something, perhaps not thinking, and when it goes wrong, wish you could do it all over again? It seemed like a good idea at the time, and maybe it was, but something changed, so the end result wasn't what you wanted or expected.

That happened to me today.

When we arrived yesterday in Belle Fourche, South Dakota, I mentioned to Ben that his rear tire was worn down. So the plan became to go to the Harley Dealer in Rapid City. A short but windy distance away. We grabbed breakfast first at the Perkins in Spearfish. Completing that we readied ourselves to head to Rapid City to get the tire changed.

I did something I've never done before: I put my iPhone on the dashboard of my windshield as I put on my jacket. I intended to put the phone in my pocket. But something distracted me, likely I was the last one ready, so I hurried...and absentmindedly left the phone on the dash.

As I bounced through a construction zone, something black hit my knee and in my mirror I saw it land on the road. My first thought was, "What was that? Must've been some piece of debris off the road."

But then the thought flashed through my mind, "Where's my phone? Was that my phone?" I felt my pocket. No phone. "Oh no!"

I pulled over and made a quick U-turn and headed back. There was no place to park but I saw the phone on the road so I pulled over anyway. Traffic swerved around me.

Sure enough. There he was. "Maybe he isn't badly hurt" I thought. (BTW My phone is male). But no, he was dead. I knew it when I saw his little black body lying on the asphalt. I knew he was lifeless. He would never ring again. Never again would I hear his cheery little chirps signalling him delivering my mail mail. My constant companion lay dead. And it was my fault.

I carefully scooped him up, cast a quick glance for oncoming cars as I searched for his case. I knew he'd want it. I saw part of it, grabbed it, hopped back on the bike and tried to catch up with the others.

The rest of the day went well. We saw some awesome country, including Mt. Rushmore. And we ended up in Sturgis, the biker's Mecca. We got the tires changed and overall, had a great day of riding. But for me, I wish I could have a "do-over."

I've had that in life too. Maybe you have too. A mistake, a thoughtless word uttered, maybe even an intentional risk. And when it all goes sideways, we wish for a "do-over."

But do-overs only happen in our imaginations, or childhood games. In real adult life we don't get them. What's done is done, and we have to live with the consequences. Self-recrimination usually doesn't help. Neither does blaming others for our mistakes.

So what do we do, when we can't have a "do-over?"

Here's what I've observed about situations needing a "do-over." Sometimes there is mercy, meaning we don't get what we deserve. Consequences don't play out to their logical outcome. Their impact is minimized and in some cases they're even redeemed so that the mistake becomes part of a greater tapestry for good.

Sometimes all that is needed is an attitude-change on our part -- having a humble and contrite heart. A bad situation might be transformed into something good.

So next time, you need a "do-over" in life, check your attitude and change it if need be. If only that worked when it comes to iPhones.