Each
day brings a new set of pressing concerns--things that have to be dealt with
immediately. In the larger scheme of things, most of these daily dramas are not
earth-shattering—forgotten wallets, overdue bills, car trouble, taxes, work
stress, aging parents, icy roads, relationship conflicts, emotional issues, etc.
Then again, some are personally significant—major health issues, deaths,
disabilities, life-changing choices…
By
the time I’m done taking care of these matters, I have run out of time and
energy. All my attention is poured into resolving the crisis at hand. I’m so busy putting out fires, that I often
neglect fire prevention.
According
to the National Fire Protection Association, the most common causes of
residential fires are: overloaded circuits, neglected smoke alarms,
combustibles near heat sources, and unattended stoves or ovens. When I read
this list, I realized that I need to focus on both the literal and metaphorical
fire hazards in my life. I need to redistribute the electronics plugged into
the hubs of power strips around the entertainment center and computers. I
should check the batteries on the smoke alarms. I have to move the boxes in the
furnace room and remind my son not to use space heaters next to blankets or
curtains. I can’t walk away from the kitchen when I have something on the
stove. These physical fire hazards are easier to deal with than the
metaphorical ones.
I
also have a tendency to overload certain areas of my life. I need to reevaluate
the essential activities that I need to expend my energy on and unplug from the
rest. Sometimes I ignore the alarms going off, even going as far as disabling
the detectors that notify me of danger. My body usually sends out signals of
stress—reduced immunity, elevated blood pressure, sleep issues, exhaustion,
headaches, skin break-outs—and I ignore or cover up these symptoms. I also
neglect to leave adequate space around situations that are sure to generate heat.
Even when I know something stressful is coming up, I pack my schedule too
close, leaving very little room for ventilation. And I often get distracted and
leave my hearth unattended. What was intended to be nourishing and sustaining
ends up boiling over or scorched.
If I could take some time to fireproof
my life, maybe I wouldn’t have to spend as much time putting out fires!
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