Sandbags and Barricades

This past Thursday, Chicago got hit by a ferocious flood. During this flood, water ran rampant in certain neighborhoods throughout the city, destroying homes, cars, landmarks and just about anything else that lay in its wake.

Chicago Avenue Underwater (picture courtesy of @dartistqp)
Chicago Avenue Underwater (picture courtesy of @dartistqp)

This weekend, as I was driving through my neighborhood, I noticed that one particular street was completely closed and blocked off by sandbags and barricades.

On the other side of the sandbags laid what looked like a river, in place of what used to be a street.

At some point during the onslaught of rain, either Wednesday night or Thursday morning, someone realized that this enormous quantity of water could end up being a destructive force and possibly demolish their nearby homes. Thus, they proactively took on the painstaking work of laying sandbags, to protect and preserve their properties.

As I drove away from this peculiar sight, I began thinking.

Water is one of the unique ingredients of life. Without it, we die.
Water in small doses can nourish the  body, quench thirst, cleanse dirt and cool heat.
In contrast, water in large quantities can be an unpredictable and devastating power, that can create catastrophic circumstances.

Water, uncontrolled and in excess, has the potential to be a tremendous danger.
But, is this only true for water?
Could this be true for anything that in uncontrolled and in excess?

This caused me to pause for a moment to reflect:
What is running rampant in my life?
Is there anything that I’m doing in excess, that might need sandbags and barricades, to ensure that in the future nothing of value in my life is destroyed?

This week, I’m asking us all to reflect and ask ourselves these questions:

  • What is going on in my life that is taking an excessive amount of time?
  • What is going on in my life that is taking an excessive amount of energy?
  • What is going on in my life that is taking an excessive amount of money?
  • Is it time to set up a barricade and begin laying down sandbags?

Anything in excess, can destroy success!

Excess can be present in all of our lives in a number of different ways.
Excess could be found in things like:

  • The NBA (National Basketball Association)
  • The NFL (National Football League)
  • Gambling
  • Beer drinking
  • Eating
  • Gaming

…and I’m not just gonna pick on the guys.

Excess could be found in other things like:

  • Shopping
  • Texting
  • Talking
  • Gossiping
  • Watching (whatever it is that you spend too much time watching)

Excess can be almost anywhere like:

  • Sleeping
  • Working
  • Debating

You all get the drift. (pun intended)
Excess is anything you’re doing too much.

This week, be sure to take some time to perform a self assessment. Take a look.
You may just spot an impending flood.

Don’t let your excess, wash away your opportunities for success.
Lay sandbags, put up barricades and stay inspired. It’s a lifestyle choice.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *