How Creative Force Outmuscles Disaster
Wow, the world sure looks different when I’m not writing. And I mean that in both a literal and figurative sense. This summer I went underground to get some writing done. Avoided pretty much all forms of social media and immersed myself in a couple of different “imaginary” worlds—imaginary is in quotes because those worlds actually feel real to me. I’m sure y’all know what I’m talking about.When I set my feet back on Earth about a week ago, I felt like Alice in Wonderland—what the heck happened while I was gone?
Hurricane Harvey.
Nature and life destroyed.Rescue and recovery in motion.I have family and friends in Houston, and I am thankful that everyone I know and love is okay. Yet, I’m appalled at the tragedy that has befallen thousands of people and the mind-blowing negative environmental impact.
Some dark lord has rattled Earth again. How can we possibly get through another disaster? How can this planet survive yet another attack? How many tests must we humans fail before we learn that we are the freaking problem?Harvey isn’t the first natural disaster we’ve survived and it won’t be the last. But humans don’t learn quickly from their mistakes. Knowing how dense and stubborn humans can be is disheartening to me.
“Climate change” echoes across the media waves.
Who among us is listening closely enough to do something about it?I’m thrilled that people are donating their money and time and services to help rescue efforts, and that will make an enormous difference for emergency relief.Recovery doesn’t end there. It is only the beginning. Next time, we could be looking at worse destruction. Next time, we could be looking at more failure. Next time, we could never recover. We need to think about how we’re going to fund solutions, so we don’t have a next time.
Bring on the ideas.
Open the conversations.
Create change.
Challenge each other to live with the planet in mind and in heart.
These actions stem directly from what I call CREATIVE FORCE, which stirs within each one of us. Whether you are a painter, a mechanic, a teacher, a lawyer, a nurse, a student, a secretary—you wield creative force and therefore you have the ability to make a difference.
Creative force is at the root of ideas, communication, imagination, decision-making, and problem-solving.
All of these processes, when used positively and ethically, are more powerful than any natural disaster.We humans can make a difference, but it starts with acknowledgement and recognition of the role we have played. A willingness to change our ways. And strength to find a better path to follow.This tragedy upset the peaceful balance I’d found this summer, underground. Imagine. Squiring myself away from reality gave me peace. Huh. Yeah, I’m definitely an introvert, and a writer, and a tad loony. Shadows claim the space meant for planning the future and making memories and being “social,” and so I want to go back in hiding, to my peaceful seclusion.
My creative force runs rampant, though. Defense mechanism?
It won’t let me sit idly by and let things fall apart around me. I am a guard dog, restless and tenacious. Don’t mess with my bone type of attitude. I’m angry at the reasons we’re in this mess, and I want to do so much more than I reasonably can. But I have commitments that tether me home, in my safe, dry corner of the world.In response, I started my own fundraising campaign through Sierra Club. 100% of all money that I raise is used by Sierra Club’s groups on the ground to mitigate the environmental impact from Hurricane Harvey.Anyone who donates through my campaign will receive free feedback on their writing by moi. Comment below if you want more info!I can’t be in Houston personally to lend a hand, but here on my blog, I can lend my voice. And through fundraising, I can support those who are able to take action. In a small way, this is the difference I’m making.Won’t you join me?For more information on Sierra Club’s mission, visit Team Sierra.