The Tipping Point: the point at which a series of small changes or incidents becomes significant enough to cause a larger, more important change.
It’s that moment right before the reaction occurs.
And then throw in some catalysts and the reaction occurs even faster.
Some elements are perfectly safe on their own. Take fluorine for instance. When it is alone, there is no harm, but when it combines with sodium, you get an explosion.
On the World Race, It’s easy for a combination of elements to create a reaction. When everything gets mixed together things change. Attitudes change. Emotions change.
For example:
“Sweet! After carrying around this sleeping pad for 5 months, I finally get to use it!” when mixed with being exhausted becomes: “My back is killing me because of this dang sleeping pad.”
“Whoa! There’s a turtle in this bathroom!” when mixed with zero alone time becomes: “I can’t even take a shower alone because there’s a turtle at my feet watching me.”
“I’m excited to experience a new country.” when mixed with multiple culture shocks becomes: “This place is dirty, smelly, and noisy. I’m ready for the next country.”
You get the picture.
Sometimes reactions happen instantly while others build slowly.
This one built up.
One night in Yangon, Myanmar. Month 6
I thought I was okay. Even though I was loving my ministry, the country of Myanmar was taking some getting used to. But I thought the culture shock had worn off. I thought I was adjusting to the very close community just fine.
Well, apparently not.
We were just passing out flyers like most days advertising English classes to the local community. Sometimes I even enjoy it because it’s a chance to explore and pet lots of dogs, but that night was different.
I was dreading going outside again. Whenever we stepped outside it was always constant chaos. But I had to go, so I went.
We were walking along the main road. It was just like any other night but the reaction had already been building for two weeks and I hadn’t let myself process it. I hadn’t been letting myself feel. I was just taking one day at a time trying to keep my level head, but it wasn’t really working. There was too much in my brain.
Overstimulation.
The hordes of people.
Maneuvering through the sea of people but trying not to get hit by a car
Seeing the countless sad, mangy dogs with no one to look after them
Passing that boy without a leg begging for money or any of the other men, women, and children begging
The flashing headlights
Seeing multiple smiles dyed red
The ground dyed red from red spit
All of the different smells:
Trash. Fish. Curry. Incense. Sweat.
Then the sounds:
Honking taxis. Ringing bike bells. Whistles and shouts.
The loud conversations I can’t understand.
The announcements over the loud speaker.
I’m trying to make my way through all of this and then…
Just got bumped by another person.
Just got honked at again.
Just walked into another unfortunate smell.
And again…
Another person
Another honk
Another smell
My pulse is quickening…
Another person.
Another honk.
Another smell.
Another person.
Another honk.
Another smell.
ANOTHER PERSON.
ANOTHER HONK.
ANOTHER SMELL.
I can’t take this anymore! This constant chaos! I can’t remember the last time I was alone! I can’t remember the last time I could hear myself think! I can’t remember the last time I didn’t eat rice! I can’t remember the last time I set my own schedule! I can’t remember the last time I spoke to someone without a language barrier! I can’t remember the last time I breathed in fresh air….
My heart is racing. My head is getting dizzy. My body isn’t working correctly.
Oh no.
I. CAN’T. BREATHE.
What is happening????
I hit the tipping point.
