A small Overfill Alarm at my gas station
Good Morning, God!
I just happened to notice this small little box the other day while I was getting gas. I didn’t remember ever seeing it before. It clearly says it is an “Overfill Alarm.”
My instant response was WHY DON’T I HAVE ONE OF THOSE? I guess I was thinking, God, that IF I had an alarm like that — one that FLASHES and SQUEALS — I would have retired a few years ago.
Ha! Guess again!
You are right, God. I would have ignored the flashing light and put in ear plugs. Actually, I am pretty sure I DID have ear plugs in. I just really didn’t want to hear or know that I was on “overflow.”
What You had to do for me, God, was send me off to Snowmass for a 10-day silent retreat. That loosened the grip that adrenalin had on me. Busy wasn’t just about “helping” and being “useful” — there was an actual addiction to adrenalin.
Now I have slowed down and I have space in my day. I look back and I am dumbfounded that I was so slow to get it. Worse yet, I look around me and see a lot of folks on “overfill.” Since I was so determined to keep on doing all I was doing, I am at a loss as to how I might “help” others. Is it possible?
I had read all the books. I could repeat Dr. Arch Hart’s words on anhedonia — about how busy builds a WALL around our pleasure center. I loved Richard Swenson’s book on Margin: Restoring Emotional, Physical, Financial and Time Reserves to Overloaded Lives. But, I just couldn’t apply it to myself.
I am thankful for Your help, God. Now, please help all the others who are just like me!
Story teller,
Wow! Are you sure you weren’t talking about me? Thanks for the alarm! Now to make the time to read the books!
KBT