Oil Spill in the Gulf

Since I lived most of my life along or near the Gulf Coast, the BP oil disaster has truly saddened me. I think what saddens me the most though is how everyone is looking at BP as the cause, and at BP and the government for the solution.

But shouldn't we all accept responsibility for this terrible event? Isn't it our own need for oil that contributes more to this than anything else. We are the ones that WANT oil. We are the ones that USE oil. And we are the ones that want more and more of it on a daily basis. We don't seem to care where it comes from. We don't seem to care about any environmental issues. Just give it to us, and give it to us now! And now, we blame the oil companies and the government instead of our own need and greed. Yes, I think that is pretty sad - pretty sad indeed.

PLEASURE

One of my favorite quotes or mottos to live by is:

The mind creates the abyss, and the heart crosses it - Sri Nisargadatta.

I have found this to be all too true. My mind has the incredible power of turning everything into an uphill climb, a difficult situation, a task too hard, a place too awful, or a day filled with all work and no pleasure. It is often difficult to just get over myself - my mind - and allow my heart to lead the way.

I am currently reading Eat, Pray, Love - One Woman's Search for Everything Across Italy, India and Indonesia by Elizabeth Gilbert. Since this book has been on the best sellers list for several years, I am probably one of the last people on the planet to read it. I am currently reading a chapter about pleasure, and how Americans have such a difficult time finding the pleasure in life. We are either too busy working or finding ways to entertain ourselves.

The definition of Pleasure: an activity that affords enjoyment; a fundamental feeling that is hard to define but that people desire to experience.

The opposite of Pleasure is Pain: a symptom of some physical hurt or disorder; emotional distress; a fundamental feeling that people try to avoid.

My questions are: Is our society in pain? Is our world in pain?  If we are not experiencing pleasure in our lives on a daily basis, are we experiencing pain? And yet, no one consciously chooses pain over pleasure. That would be insane!  Right?

I guess I'm going to think about this for a while. It starts with me and my own mind. Now I'm going to go try and have a nice day.....hopefully filled with some pleasure.