Feeling Overwhelmed or Underwater? Where's Your Water Line?
Neil McDonnell
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When I was in the 美国军队 Rangers, and we were heading out on a mission, a pastor or priest would deliver a sermon to give us strength.
One in particular was so effective at lifting a weight off my shoulders that I never forgot it.
I remind myself of this message when times feel tough. I teach it to my kids. I hope it proves helpful to you as well.
The Plimsoll Line | Water Line
I'm not sure if you know anything about Army Rangers, but we carry a lot of weight on our shoulders - things can get overwhelming pretty fast.
What our priest was trying to tell us that day was that as overwhelming as it feels, we're not underwater.
He taught us about something on cargo ships called the Plimsoll line, or water line.
The water line is placed midship on both sides of a ship.
When this mark goes below the water, it tells us the ship is overloaded.
Some law by the British back in 1876 put this in place to help prevent ships from being overloaded and then sinking when sailing to another port.
We All Have a Water Line
So that day, as we were heading out on a mission, this priest tells this story of the Plimsoll line.
He then proceeds to tell us that we all have a water line as well.
Sometimes we feel overwhelmed as Rangers (or small businesses) and we feel like we're sinking.
Shoot, more often than not we feel like we're under water already.
But he told us that God gave us all water lines.
Just like the people loading a ship at dock watch the water line to make sure the ship doesn't get more than it can safely take...
God watches our water line and makes sure we're not getting more than we can take.
I guess my message is...
Stay strong and keep pushing forward despite times being hard or the results not coming as quickly as you want.
As overwhelming as 'everything' might seem, God's got your back and is watching your water line.
You will be successful, and you will achieve the goals you have set for yourself.
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1 天前What a wonderful analogy the priest gave you all that day. Thank you for sharing this uplifting message with us.
Director, Business Development | Business Management
2 天前Thanks for the inspiration Neil. I believe times of trial bring you closer to God. I will continue to wait for the light and strength He will send in due time
Facilitating organizations to achieve great results through program management and resilience.
2 天前Thanks Neil for this story that's both personal and practical for anyone. For me, this morning, I think of how NOAA helps set our "water line" especially in Florida weather forecasting. Yesterday we had tornados! Through NOAA's National Weather Service?(NWS), providing weather warnings to our protect life and property - thanks to NOAA we have a "water line."
?? Cybersecurity Expert | Entrepreneur & Innovator | Risk Management Strategist
2 天前Great advice and timely message Neil McDonnell. Thank you for sharing and of course THANK YOU for your service!
Ocean Transportation, logistics,supply chain professional
2 天前Excited, Neil ??in n njnooopoooooooooooooooooo oononononoononoonono no jk njnnnnookonk