You Can Lead a Horse to Water

 As the old saying goes, you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink. This holds true for the human species also.

We all know what is good for us, and yet in spite of this, we will still make some poor choices along the way. The majority of these decisions will not have a major impact on our lives, but every now and then they could.

There will be times when we watch someone that we care about do things that we cannot understand. Something that can affect not only their own life, but the lives of those who love them. The question we end up asking ourselves is, "do they not care enough about themselves, or us, to do what is right"?

For the person who is trying to ensure that their loved one takes the proper precautions and follow the rules, it can be frustrating. We worry, cater to, and coddle as we try to handle them with kid gloves and push them into taking the right steps. At times the kid gloves come off and we just push as hard as we can to try and coerce them into what should be done.

And yet, they cast caution to the wind, determined to do what they want without thinking of the consequences. It is as if they do not care if they undo all that has been done and return to what was. Health be damned, they forge ahead at a charge. 

We are left exhausted and bewildered, emotionally drained, and yet still trying to be their support. Wondering all the while how they can be so careless without worrying about the outcome. Are we the only one that can see what might come of these actions?

Although we try to understand, it is not easy. We sit and watch thinking that a second chance is a wakeup call to do the right things. If we make the right choices moving forward, we will have plenty of time to do all that we wish to do.

Perhaps through their eyes it looks a bit different. They may see it as the opportunity to grasp every moment and enjoy it to the fullest while they can. Who is to say which one is right? 

Although we know we cannot control what they do, we will continue to try and lead them to water.