Amid the ferns on the front walk to our house, we have a decorative water fountain. The sight and sound of the water cheers me as I walk by.
Recently, however, the flow of water greatly diminished. At first we thought we needed to add more water - but to no avail. Eventually, the water flow just stopped and the foremost thought was that the water pump needed replacement. No big deal - we have an extra.
But it wasn't that. . .
This weekend I spent not an inordinate amount of time examining the problem. I took the water pump out and started poking (literally, with a paper clip) around. At the water intake, there was a significant amount of gunk (is there a better word?) that wasn't letting water in - so water couldn't be pumped out. Cleaned it out, plugged it in. . .and it is operating like new. . .once again offering a visual and aural respite.
This happens at work . . and in life. What was once working may not be working as well, or working at all. We are tempted to toss it out for that which is totally new. Sometimes, however, all it takes is a little time of examination. . .a little cleaning out. . .a readjustment. . .a focus on what the real problem is. . .and things are working like new.
It is not only a lesson in how to be effective - it is also a lesson in sustainability; using that which still has resources. If I had just thrown out the old pump - I would have been wasting all of that plastic and metal and electrical cord; only to replace it with a new pump which in all likelihood would have encountered the same problem within months. By using that which was existent, I found a great solution that used no additional resources.
At work if we can utilize that which we have by examining it and making it truly efficient again, we are truly good stewards of that which is given to us.
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