Guardrails

Here’s an interesting read I had this week:

James Dobson: “ Imagine you’re driving a car over the Royal Gorge Bridge in Colorado, which is suspended hundreds of feet above the canyon floor. As a first-time traveler, you’re pretty tense as you drive across. It is a scary experience.

Now suppose there were no guardrails on the side of the bridge. Where would you steer the car?

RIGHT DOWN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD.

Even though you don’t plan to hit those protective railings along the side, you just feel more secure knowing that they’re there.

THERE IS SECURITY IN DEFINED LIMITS.”

RP: Honestly, I resent “guardrails”. “They’re no fun”, I complain many times. But I need them:)

“Guardrails” to me are people that “hold me accountable”.

In the case of anger and rage, They’d say to me, “Shouting is never to be tolerated.  Even if your right Richard. So is sarcasm, or a condescending tone.”

They challenged me TO STOP when  I was wrong.

I didn’t like hearing this at all. I stubbornly wanted to justify that “as long as I’m right, I can say it whatever way I want!”

But these “guardrails”(people) are painfully good for those who struggle with a temper. And even if we still stumble every now and then, we do get a few steps forward, no matter how slow.

In my weaknesses(addictions, struggles, controlling issues), I see 2 options:

1. Either give permission to my “Guardrails” to put limits on me or
2. Live my whole life without limits and turn into a tolerated monster.

“Guardrails” define our “limits”.

Limits that give us and the people around us, SECURITY(to drive on the side of the road!!!!!)  ?

So when you cross a bridge, do you notice the GUARDRAILS at the side of the road?

They are the reason why you and I can enjoy the view ???

Posted by jon, June 7, 2014