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A freight train is big and loud and hard to miss. On a clear day, you can literally see it coming a mile away. Despite this fact, hundreds of people die by train every year. Some make a game of crossing the tracks just seconds before a train passes. When the guardrails come down, some gun the engine to beat the train. Because the train is stopped or moving slowly, some try to cross the track between cars. It is inexplicable why there are so many train deaths. What cannot be said in the vast majority of cases is that they didn’t see it coming.
Wouldn’t it be nice if all of the things that can harm us in life were like trains? We would avoid so many more disasters if they were loud, obnoxious, and came with guardrails keeping us safe from their devastating force. But that is not the case for much of what harms us. Unlike trains, we really didn’t see it coming.
That doesn’t mean there were no signs. Sometimes there are signs that we just don’t want to see. Other times, those signs are more subtle. Here are a few dangers in life that tend to sneak up on us, and what you can do about them:
1. Tooth Decay
Often, the first sign that there is a problem with a tooth is pain. That is not a very subtle warning. Imagine an invisible train that is also silent. The first and only sign it is coming is the horn. That’s tooth decay. Most of what we can do for teeth involves not waiting for the warning signs. Everything is prophylactic.
We detect alignment issues in early childhood and put in teeth aligners to correct it before it becomes a problem. Parents are often hesitant to inflict anything like braces on their kids because they remember what it was like to use the braces of their day. They don’t realize how different things are today. It is nothing like the expense and discomfort of the past.
Unfortunately, all the signs of tooth decay are after the fact. They mostly involve pain. You might also take note of red gums and gums that pull away from the teeth. Brush, floss, and watch what you eat. See your dentist regularly for the best prevention.
2. Financial Ruin
It’s funny how financial chaos can sneak up on you with very little warning. Fortunately, there are warning signs if you know what to look for. Despite the warnings, financial problems usually catch people off guard. No one is trying to be irresponsible with money. Everyone thinks they are setting the best financial goals. These are a few signs that you are missing the mark:
- Your credit card statement shows a lot of non-essentials.
- You dress like people who make a lot more money than you.
- The waiters at the fancy restaurants know you by name.
- You frequently have to put off paying one or more bills.
- You have almost no money at the end of the month.
These are not just warning signs. They are cries for help. Don’t let those cries go unanswered.
3. Relationship Issues
Is he not as romantically interested in you? Or is he just way more tired after work these days? Either way, that’s a problem you are going to want to get sorted before it gets out of hand. It could just be something simple, or something embarrassing that he doesn’t want to talk about. But not talking about it now means arguing about it (or worse) later. Nothing about relationships should be taken for granted.
4. Developmental Issues with Your Child
It takes some parents a long time to realize when their child is having a developmental problem because they indulge in the fantasy that their precious little miracle is perfect. That fantasy can literally stunt your child’s growth if it goes unchecked. Humans are complicated, messy, and prone to defects. There is no manufacturer’s warranty. Take the early signs seriously.
Freight trains are dangerous and deadly if ignored. Not everything in life comes with a loud horn announcing its arrival. So pay close attention to the health of your teeth, finances, relationships, and the early childhood development of your children.
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This content is brought to you by Anne Davis.
Photo: Shutterstock