We have been going through some legal issues at work regarding a project that we built several years back. The process of dealing with this has been very time consuming and stressful. Watching the legal system in action has provided me with a better understanding of the close relationship between lawyers and insurance companies. Unfortunately, what I have observed has not been flattering for either party, and I am still trying to sort out the dynamics of the relationships and connections. I’ll leave this for a potential post later…
So, during the process of legal maneuvering on this case and through a very strange and unusual turn of legal events, we reached a point that could have resulted in a real catastrophic event. We felt like we were on the brink of disaster- ready to go over the cliff! The events leading up to this point were crazy, but what happened next brought on the point of this post. In the very darkest moment, when all parties could see the horror of where we were heading, they all got serious and settled the case. Up to this point it was really just going through the motions- letting everything just run its natural course. When it got to the point of becoming a nuclear event, then and only then, did we see real action.
This is not the first time I have seen this happen. Why do we do this? Why does it take something terrible and catastrophic before we properly address an issue that isn’t just going to go away? Have you experienced something similar? Do you have something that could look like the cliff if you fail to take it seriously?
It could be an addiction?
It could be your finances?
It could be an inappropriate relationship?
It could be your health?
All of these and many more situations have the potential to really blow up in your face. Here are a few strategies that can help you can avoid the cliff:
- See things for what they are. If you find yourself trying to manage a bad situation instead of seeking a final solution you are playing with fire. And you will likely get burned.
- Keep your lights on high beam. Look down the road and try to see where you are heading. Consider the future consequences if you fail to deal with the situation now.
- Avoid rationalization. If you find yourself making excuses for what is occurring, its likely there is something that you are trying to bury.
- Don’t isolate yourself- get help. Seek out a friend that you trust who can give you advice and walk with you as you address your issue. You may also want to seek counseling or engage a professional who is experienced in dealing with your problem.
- The longer you wait the harder it will be. The deeper you progress in your problem the more difficult and complicated it becomes to get untangled and free. Face your issue and deal with it. The sooner the better.
Once you go over the cliff your life will be changed forever. You will have to pay some serious consequences for your actions or inaction to deal with your problem. Are you ready to face your situation? Is there someone that you love that is heading towards the cliff? Maybe this is your call to help them!
Leading by Serving 
8 responses to “The Cliff”
I believe one of the biggest reasons we wait for the cliff is….FEAR! Even though we fear the cliff we are also fearful to confront the situation. It’s easier to do nothing and pretend things will get better or that some divine intervention will take place.
LikeLike
Thanks Cindy! I agree sometimes fear is the reason we fail to act. We just get frozen and unable to deal with the issue. Thanks for the comments!
LikeLike
I think that one of the biggest things that motivates change is the level of pain we finally get to. What Cindy said is very true, fear can often hold us back. We find it easier to live in pain we know than face the pain of change that we don’t know. All change, good and bad, usually requires a certian level of pain. When we get to a place where the pain we live in is so great we can’t stand it then we finally might take the steps needed for change.
LikeLike
Thanks Alison! I agree- we often wait for the pain to increase until it becomes overwhelming. Yet, we still know where we are heading (the cliff) and I think that sometimes we fool ourselves into thinking that our problem will go away or just fix itself. Dangerous territory! Or maybe we are just lazy and won’t act until crisis mode kicks in. Still puzzling to me… Thanks for your comments!
LikeLike
I think we do that because we don’t like change and it’s easier to go along like everything is fine. Only to be confronted with the need to change only when it’s needed.
In fact, I wrote an eerily similar post called Why You Should Not Wait Until Intervention Is Needed awhile back – http://www.jmlalonde.com/why-you-should-not-wait-until-intervention-is-needed/
LikeLike
I agree we resist change. Still puzzles me why we wait to deal with things that we know are serious and have the potential to blow up into something really big? Could it be procrastination? Or rose colored glasses?
I’ll check out your post! Thanks for the comments!
LikeLike
I have noticed it’s sometimes hard to know how close we are to the cliff until we have fallen off or are hanging on for dear life. I think this is why having people around you who can honestly and openly speak into your life is important.
I just found your blog and really like it. Looking forward to reading it and connecting.
LikeLike
Thanks Dan! I agree- I think we tend to size things up and speculate whether we are OK or not. Still amazes me! Yes, having friends and family to speak into your life is critical. Isolation is a very dangerous place. I think we tend to minimize things that are growing in importance and our judgement can get clouded. Having friends who we trust and who can hold us accountable can keep us from approaching the edge! Thanks for your comments!
LikeLike