Normally when I go for a run on the greenway in Nashville, I really enjoy the stretch that follows along the bank of the river. The other day, though it was not the same experience.
We have had quite a bit of rain this summer and the river flooded over it’s banks. Part of the greenway trail gets shut down temporarily until the waters subside. I experienced the after effect of the receding waters.
There was dried mud on most of the plants along the bank and wet mud further inland. The stench was awful. I have been in swamp land that smelled better than this. It made me think about our lives. Most of the time, thinks are flowing along and are nice and peaceful. At times, we experience stressful situations that I picture as the waters rising.
If we can keep control of the stress, we can keep the water within the banks. This is our tolerance level. Everyone around us is not effected much. They may see the water flowing more rapidly and it gets their attention, but it does not really effect them. Picture your stress level overflowing your banks.
Now you are effecting those around you. This is not in a good way. It plays in impact on their path. What do they need to do differently because of your stress? Do they have to take a longer route to get to their goals? Have their goals been blocked off enough that they are no longer attainable? Think about what you did to your team because of your stress level.
I would say that you have stunk it up! Just like the residue from the flood waters on the greenway that had a terrible stench, you have the same effect on your team and those around you. Eventually, things will settle back down to normal. Nature has a way of cleaning itself up. You will eventually get back within your banks and clean up the mess you made. The key is to stay within your banks even during the storm.
Think about the last time that you flooded those around you. How long did it take you to clean it up? What are you going to do to stay within your banks in the future. I would love to hear your comments. Please use the link below to post.
