#642 frogs

Our local school district had a late start on January 3 because of cold weather conditions.  The temperature was -10 degrees and wind chill was -20.  At the time, it seemed intolerably frigid.  We even closed the university one day this term due strictly to the deep freeze (not snow accumulations).  There were wind chill warnings and concern about frostbite so everyone was taking great precautions.

Contrast that to Monday, where the temperature here was -9 degrees and the wind chill was -17.  It is an imperceptible difference, but school wasn't delayed; no one even considered it.  Several of us were wearing skirts instead of wool pants and leggings.  We still had wind chill warnings, but no one even paid attention to them anymore as there had been warnings almost continuously for two months.

This reminded me of a fable:  "It is said that if a frog is dropped in a pot of boiling water, it will immediately hop out and survive.  But if it is placed is a pot of warm water that is gradually heated to a boil, the frog, without protest, will die."*

While nothing has been warm about this winter, we have been like frogs in the pot of warm water.  We are slowly becoming accustomed to temperatures that remain below freezing. We go outside with exposed skin and leave our emergency kits in the garage instead of the car.  As our tolerance increases, so does our risky behavior and unpreparedness.  

What other bad habits do we acquire when they come upon us with slow frequency?  Eating a little to much here;  little too much there.  Hibernating instead of exercising this week, and then avoiding the gym again the next.  A bit of overspending on this purchase, and a few bucks over budget on that.  A snipe at our partner today, and then another dig tomorrow.  Holding on to one piece of stress from this project then feeling the weight from yet another.

We all need to make time to step back and reflect on how our behaviors are adapting to our environment.  Some changes may be for the good, but others may have just evolved unintentionally.  Unless we notice that the temperature is rising while there is still time to act, gradually the pot warms and we become like the frogs meeting their demise without a fight.

-- beth triplett
leadershipdots.blogspot.com

@leadershipdots
leadershipdots@gmail.com

Source:  Creating a Lifestyle You Can Life With by Ron Fronk