At first when the platform blew up my thoughts were for the people working the rig. Later, my thoughts were with the families of the men who were at first only missing, and praying that there might be some remotely good resolution for the men and their families. As a week went by and officials, professionals, and politicians ran around like headless chickens, it became apparent that no one was going to have a solution to 'fix' (temporarily or otherwise) the spewing oil leak any time soon. Anytime soon. None of us ever believed something this damaging with effects so widely-spread amongst environment, livelihood, economic, and general well-being would ever have been allowed to go on for over a month.
Even through this I continue to profess, out of this situation, only good will come. This is not to say that I have not cried, that I have not been sickened to the point of wanting to vomit; I have. But after those feelings went away I stepped back. WAY back. Out of this World back and looked at the bigger picture.
As a species, I hate to say we hit our comfort zones and 'let it ride', but if there are generalizations that can be made of the human race certainly one of them is, we don't change as a whole until the absolute worst is staring us down. This statement is based on simple observation of the human race throughout history. If anyone wants to call me on it, please feel free, but keep in mind I am speaking of the Human Race, not a few pockets or a culture or country, but of all of us, together, as a whole.
Let me get back to the stepping WAY back to get some perspective on this situation. After my initial outraged and sickened response, the first place my brain and my spirit had to go for a change of perspective was to the Earth. The Earth as an entity, a living breathing organism Who has managed to flourish, seemingly die, resurrect and flourish again throughout millennia of any number of creatures inhabiting Her being; throughout any number of Earth-threatening catastrophes. If the Gulf of Mexico should become so tainted that everything in and around it dies, yes, this would be beyond tragic and it would be Man's fault (this time.) But such an event would most definitely bring change. I speak of a taboo-worst-case-scenario here, but the possibility is present whether we choose to state it or not. Regardless of the worst case scenario, change has already taken place. Change in people's attitudes toward drilling, toward oil usage, toward methods, toward "Officials" who claim to be experts in their fields, change in people's perceptions and how they see the world, their world, our world. Change is occurring. We can hope that there has been enough damage that change continues to infiltrate the hearts and minds of the Global Community. That is my hope at any rate.
If we, as individuals, or even as a Community can step back and begin to see our place on this planet as what it is, a blip on the radar, then we have the option to see where there is actual good in this situation. No, I still do not think innocent persons, wild-life or precious resources being killed is a 'good' thing. But because of the sacrifices of these innocents (lives and environment,) individuals and the World have stopped to listen, and to question. I will always maintain that a person or situation that makes us question why we are doing anything holds us all to a higher standard of becoming truly Human. And here we have an amazing opportunity to step forward raising humanity to a true level of stewardship of our planet.
It is for all of these reasons and one other that I cannot sink into depression over this situation. The other strong reason for myself is that I believe (as do many) that lending the kind of energy that depression, anger, hopelessness, frustration, vindication, etc. create, to this situation will only make it, the situation, worse. Yeah, here comes my fluffy bunny side for sure, but I stand firm in my belief that sending love and prayers to this situation is the best course of action I have available. Well, that and writing to my elected officials. Change only takes place when we take action. Prayer is action. Love is action. Writing those letters and making those phone calls are action. Anything that contributes to despair will surely take us there. And so it is a choice. I make a choice not to be depressed, and to hold this situation up for the highest good of all. Out of this situation only good will come.
0 comments:
Post a Comment