How are the children?

I think they are okay, but I am not so well.

Short-term impact of BP oil rig blowout. The Macondo blowout.

I am sad.  I am scared.  I am angry.  I am not able to get the idea that there has been oil spilling into the Gulf of Mexico every moment of every day for the last 50 days and that there is no end in sight.

I want to assign blame.  Get mad at BP.  Be disappointed in our leadership for allowing these kinds of projects to happen, knowing that the safety is based more on hope than on truth.

Playing Above the Line – my responsibility

But, a foundational piece of being successful is Playing Above the Line.  When you play below the line, it’s easy to make excuses and lay blame.  In this case it’s really easy to point fingers and get mad at all the different people and organizations that are at fault in this disaster…which by the way is going to have a massive future impact in lots and lots of ways ($$, food, health,  ecology, storms).  You can check this stuff out here:

http://www.theoildrum.com/
http://www.thedailygreen.com/environmental-news/latest/gulf-oil-spill-impacts-460610

I hear lots and lots of blame, some responsibility on the part of people, leadership, and organizations.  But, there is not enough Playing Above the Line.

A bird caught in the oil. Unpleasant.

That oil spilling into the ocean is happening because of my lifestyle – our lifestyle.  I drive around because it’s convenient and a habit.  I keep consuming.  It is a hard pill for me to swallow, thinking that the pelican is covered in oil so I can be comfortable…it just feels like a lot of suffering on my/our behalf.

A bird caught in the oil. Unpleasant.

My challenge for myself today is to keep Playing Above the Line, despite my anger, frustration, sadness, and the temptation to lay blame.  I will take responsibility for my part and work today to do something that decreases my impact.

In the face of uncertainty, that is what I can offer.  I hope you join me.