Life After the Spill
A week ago I led a small group experience in Asheville. I showed an audio visual presentation of images from the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill last summer and then we did a meditation visualizing the Earth healing from this and other man-made disasters. Next I showed beautiful images of nature from many places in the world and we did a gratitude meditation. During this time I felt the strong connection humans have with the planet and a flow of gratitude from the Earth as we sat in silence, in stillness cultivating appreciation and love.
Today, as I was paddling my SUP board on Mobile Bay dolphins swam under the board, flocks of pelicans flew overhead, and small mullet splashed in front of me. What a different experience from a year ago.
Last June 13 I was walking the beaches documenting oil washing ashore in Alabama and grieving the unfolding disaster, still spewing unknown amounts of crude into the Gulf of Mexico. As I walked the shores I expected few shore birds and little marine life to survive. I felt as if I was attending a wake each time I visited the beach. And certainly I was for the thousands of birds, marine mammals, sea turtles and fish that died. And for the 11 men who died. It was so devastating to witness this tragedy. Each blog post felt like a eulogy.
But today, there is life on Mobile Bay–swimming under the water, flying over it, and paddling on the surface. Gratitude abounds within me as I acknowledge these signs of recovery.
Yet I know every place on the Gulf Coast is not so fortunate. Some areas are still experiencing heavy oiling in marshes. There are still large tar balls washing ashore and in the local Mobile newspaper, I read an article stating that local officials know there are large oil mats on the bottom just offshore of some major tourist beaches. They are trying to figure out how to remove the oil but are waiting until after ‘tourist season.’ In the meantime, if a hurricane comes ashore, who is to say what the outcome will be.
There is much work to be done on the Gulf Coast to return it to health and there is much to be thankful for. I believe we must remember the spill so we can use it as a reminder that renewal energy is an absolute MUST in our country, in our world. Also, we still have cleanup to do and much oil to remove that remains in the ecosystem. Finally, I believe the spill is an opportunity to recognize the value of such beautiful and amazing resources found along the Gulf Coast and in all of nature. This man-made disaster is a reminder that we must work diligently to protect nature, refrain from exploiting natural resources, and be good planetary stewards.
Today, I am grateful for dolphins, pelicans, fish and all life that slowly recovers from the toxins released last year. My friend Brandon also posted on gratitude today and so I join him in promoting awareness and gratitude for the amazing world in which we live.
2 Replies to “Life After the Spill”
This was so wonderful to read, Simone. Thank you so much for including me in the post. Obviously, I can relate to the sadness you felt while engaged in the documenting of the oil spill disaster, but it’s great to see how you’ve been able to see some positive things down there as well. It’s a fine line for sure.
On the one hand, too much celebrating of the partial recovery jeopardizes the ability for us to learn from this disaster, and amnesia can set in. After all, this was an unprecedented catastrophe for the Gulf region and many people and animals are still suffering today. On the other hand, dwelling on the pain and suffering doesn’t feel right either. I think you’ve done a great job of balancing the two and communicating the fact that there is still work to be done, and there was great loss of life as a result of this event, yet there are signs of recovery that are worth noting.
Thank you for your continued sharing on this issue. It’s much appreciated.
Thank you, Simone, for continuing to document all of the aspects of the spill. I agree with Brandon, you do a wonderful job of balancing the good and the bad, reminding us to stay vigilant about protecting Mother Earth and being amazed at how She is able to heal Herself.