For the past 100 years, we have carefully watched and patrolled the earth’s forests to prevent forest fires from destroying our national parks. The ugliness of raging fires leaves the land scarred and black. We have done our job well—perhaps too well.
A stroll through a healthy forest shows a thick layer of leaves and plants. Trees stretch high above, so many that they nearly block the sunlight from reaching the ground. It feels calm, lovely, and serene. However, forest rangers say it’s a little too quiet.
By carefully protecting the forest from fires, we have upset nature’s balance. Without fires to clear away extra plants and dead material, there is no natural way to keep nature’s balance intact. First, as shade-loving plants grow more, they form a thick layer that stops seeds from reaching the ground for future tree growth. Second, if too many tall trees are present, they block the sunlight needed for sun-loving plants below. This not only creates a serious fire risk from the extra debris but also reduces important plant growth. To address this issue, forest rangers have started using prescribed burns.
As an area of the forest becomes too cluttered and dangerous, a controlled fire is created to burn out the unwanted debris and plant life. It is done with prescribed conditions only after careful study, monitoring, and site preparation. First, it must be done either in late spring or in early fall after a rainfall. Second, the degree of heat must be hot enough to considerably set back unwanted growth, but not too hot to damage the big trees. Third, an additional fire is set to remove the burned residue. Fourth, the area is then watched and monitored to determine growth progress.
The short-term effects of a fire are not aesthetically pleasing, but the long-term result is beneficial and even necessary. New growth softens the initial harshness of the fire. Without these prescribed burns, the whole forest would deteriorate and eventually cease to exist.
This analogy applies to our lives. Businesses, as well as relationships, need careful monitoring to ensure constant growth. Being open to ridding ourselves of excess “debris” and moving ahead is a healthy approach to any endeavor. If we are bogged down in heavy debris we might be choking out the very things we need to maintain a healthy environment.
Consider your organization, business, and relationships. Is it time, perhaps, for a “prescribed burn” to restore balance and promote vital growth?
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