TRAGEDY, ANGER, SADNESS, BIG UGLY MESS

Summary: Oil in the Gulf is very sad, and could have been avoided.

The oil in the Gulf of Mexico is so sad, and truly the worst environmental disaster the U.S. has experienced. It could and should have been avoided. Now I have first hand knowledge.

Huge opportunity and honor last week came my way in late June, in a very difficult, powerful and humbling way. Gretchen and I were traveling to New Orleans for a wedding. I often coach leaders on being overwhelmed, managing stress and improving balance. So I offered to meet with the Gulf Restoration Network, to see how I might help. That led to giving a brief workshop for leaders from several organizations working on the oil tragedy (cleanup, restoration, wildlife rehab). The workshop was titled “Perspectives for Overwhelmed Leaders.” It was an honor to help the leaders focus on shifting their perspective. Their circumstances are incredibly overwhelming. It was sad to see how hard they are working to make a difference under extremely difficult circumstances. I cannot provide more detailed stories, due to the confidentiality vow we took.

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”
– Margaret Mead

To make the experience complete, Gretchen and I stayed at the beach in Gulf Shores AL with friends. What you are hearing about oil on the beaches is true. Gulf Shores is about 150 miles from the gushing well. The beaches are stained, and have small black/brown globs of oil/sand being washed up, continually while we were there. We saw cleanup crews on the beach. When we took the ferry, it looked like globs of feces were in the water. The contamination seems to be totally overwhelming the response. People are very upset.
Homework: Please consider a contribution to Gulf Restoration Network at www.healthygulf.org

Fun: I considered not running the Fun piece this time, but life does go on. Here’s a spoof on BP.