Too Much of a Good Thing

Life requires water.  In fact, most experts agree that humans can't survive for longer than a week or so without it.  The plants in my yard would agree.  71% of the Earth's surface is covered in water.  The average person's body is made up of about 60% water.  Water quenches thirst and soothes sore muscles.  It cleanses and it purifies.

The ironic thing is that (as essential as water is) it can do so much damage.  Too much water on the ground leads to flooding.  Too much water in your lungs leads to drowning.  A tiny leak can cause thousands of dollars in damage due to mold or rot.  A periodic drip can even cause the steadiest of souls to lose their cool.

As critical as water is to our everyday lives, in the wrong doses or in the wrong places, it can be absolutely devastating.  And I'm finding that there are plenty of aspects of my life that are much the same way.  There are parts of me that are good...great even...and yet have the potential to be devastating.

Confidence can easily become arrogance.  Drive can easily become recklessness.  Independence can easily become escapism.  Curiosity can easily become addiction.  Passion can easily become anger.  For me, these God-given qualities are critical to be sure.  But, I'm also learning that, if used in the wrong doses or in the wrong places, they can be devastating.

What qualities do you have that can be taken to an extreme?