JEDI

“What wonderful things could happen in my life if I could get rid of my natural impulse to justify my actions!” (ODAT, 9 June)

Whenever I feel the need to JEDI anything (justify, explain, defend, or signal intentions, past or future), I’m hiding something.

Justification is for the unjustifiable; explanation is for the inexplicable; defence is for the indefensible.

When I say I did not intend to do something, what I really mean is I absolutely did intend it.

When I say I intend to do something, what I really mean is I intend to put it off as long as possible or avoid it altogether.