Hurricane Musings

Hurricanes are part of life when you live in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.  Fortunately, the Pacific is named the Pacific because it is a relatively calm and balanced ocean.  While I have sympathy for those that are impacted by hurricanes that are generated in the Atlantic, I usually count my blessings for not living there.  The east coast of North America has all the humidity, rain and severe weather without the cooling trade winds of the Hawaiian Islands.


However, since New Orleans is on the schedule for a conference in a couple of weeks, I'm tuning into the weather happenings a little more closely.  I'm selfishly hoping that Isaac does its thing gently and that there is a reprieve for the 10 days I will be in the hurricane zone.  September is generally the month, whether Pacific or Atlantic, for destructive hurricanes although there are exceptions to this.

There are certain things in our lives that we really have no control over and weather is one of them.  We can be prepared and informed to make the best decision about our safety and survival but we are unable to overlay any control over Mother Nature.  This is true for forest fires.  I heard on NPR a while back a discussion by some expert suggesting that we would benefit by looking at forest fires as naturally occurring events, much like hurricanes, instead of always trying to prevent and control them.  Fires are just another way that the planet cleans and renews itself.  At least that is one way to look at it.

We hear the term "fight" frequently when there is discussion about changing or stopping things that happen to otherwise innocent people.  "Fight cancer", "fight illiteracy", "fight bullying".  I find the term of "fight" to be way off base of what really needs to happen to invoke the desired change.  Are we putting up are fists and beating down cancer or would we be better served discovering the source of the mutation and doing things to correct and cure the cause?  The image of "fight" is very powerful and helps one feel like they gain strength in the goal of creating different outcomes but it is an illusion.  We need to understand the source, the needs and interests in order to create a lasting change.

While we cannot control weather and many of the things that happen to us, we can control how we react.  As a society, we can invoke change only by investing in understanding the causes of things.  When we are talking about people and conflicts that they are faced with, this means taking the time to understand all parties interests and needs, and working together to create a collaborative solution.  What are the needs of Mother Nature?  I can't exactly speak for her but keeping soil healthy and fertile to support growth would seem like one need.  Hence, forest fires help to remove undergrowth and open up light passages for endemic plants to grow.  Not so sure what the needs are related to hurricanes, though, but there must be some purpose and need?

The term "fight" automatically puts up a barrier.  Let's put down the imaginary fists and start looking at what the underlying issues are and work from there.  Invite all parties to the table and give a voice to those that don't have one (such as children and Mother Nature).  Work together and see what solutions can be generated in collaboration.