A great many Americans I know are married. But not married as you might think. No, they (we in most cases) are married to their excuses. Ever hear, "I would have...except?" Excuses give us an external culprit for why we did, or didn't, do something, act a certain way, or...you get the point. Excuses come in all shapes and sizes and allow us to justify, if even momentarily, virtually any action (or inaction). Excuses give us insulation from raw accountability -- a buffer from hurting another's feelings, somebody/something to blame that isn't us. Ours seems to be a "pleasing" society, reluctant to confront or offend.

Who is served by an excuse? When found out, who is offended? Who is embarrassed? We can learn from our children. It is said kids can be cruel. Why? They are often brutally honest. And it's all because they probably haven't lined up and adopted their excuses yet. What's your excuse?