Camels are pack animals. They are beasts of burden. This has been so for thousands of years as people, particularly in the mid-east have used them to transport things over large distances. Many people think they can keep piling on heavier and heavier loads indefinitely. It can’t happen.

The same goes for people. There is always a point where too much is too much and they will lash out. All of us have our breaking point, whether it be workload, badgering, control of actions, lack of freedom, taxes, and (you fill in the blanks). We all have heard the saying: When you want something done, ask a busy person.. It is true as most busy people have learned to manage their time well allowing them to do more. The problem here is we tend to take advantage of this, particularly when they don’t like to say no. This is for a different message. Finally they yell out in frustration NO!!! and we wonder what is their problem.

When we are the one piling on the load, whether it be work, restrictions, emotions, or whatever, we need to think about the impact it will have on others rather than focusing only on what we believe needs done and needs to be done now.

People are dealing with numerous problems, home life, health, family issues, work issues, financial issues and on and on. They are not living exclusively in our personal world. Ours only overlaps theirs. We should try to recognize the symptoms and as Kenny Rogers said in his song, The Gambler many years ago:  You've got to know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em, know when to walk away. And know when to run. As individuals, we, each, need to know our limits and be willing to say enough. We also need to look for signs in others and not try to be that straw.

People will snap back, they will quit, they will not become involved, they will, if provoked enough, lash out and rebel. No matter where we are in life, government, work, community organizations, fun groups, or personal and home relationships, it can happen. It does happen.

We could go on and on with example after example but I will stop here. We all have our straw, our breaking point. Let’s be aware and be willing to back off when necessary, wherever we are in our life journey.