If, If, and If

The First If

With so many things in my life, my reply is “if, if, and if.”

Is it the same with you?

The first “if” is nearly a given.

Your child asks you for something or to do something. “Sure,” you reply. “If I can finish this project…” “If you clean your room” and “If it does not cost too much.”

Discussing a project at work, I answer my boss that, yes, I think this will happen “if” something else does. I will contact this person “if” that one turns me down or does not get back to me in a timely fashion.

I may just continue investing this coming Friday “if” the market does not make me too jittery.

It’s hard to answer many things without at least one “if.”

Two Ifs

Two “ifs” are fairly common. Only slightly less than just one.

If I finish this project and if you clean your room, I will drive you to your friend’s house today.

If I can get the afternoon off and if it is a nice day, we can go to the beach.

If it is not raining and if you finish your homework, we can go for a bike ride.

If we are all in good health and if the four of us can agree on a restaurant, we can order take-out dinner from there.