I've been reading about the explosion of the fertilizer
plant in West, TX. There have been reports about the lack of inspections and
permits not filed correctly. Clearly, some safety questions were not addressed.
But West is not an anomaly, it is just one example. Texas is known for being
"open for business". It is a state that prides itself on being
non-union, low regulation, low taxes and tax-break-friendly for businesses. In
the aftermath of the explosion there have been a plethora of articles, news
reports, editorials, blogs, and letters to editors about the concept of safety
for workers and communities vs business growth.
The side that is all about giving businesses and industries
whatever they want in order to get them to do business here, states the needs
for jobs and growing the economy. The side that is concerned with the safety of
workers, residents in the community and the environment say that jobs alone are
not enough to balance the scales.
I found myself agreeing with the activists calling for more
regulation and inspections. Then I found myself feeling angry and betrayed by
the industry and the politicians who refuse to regulate effectively at the cost
of lives. So I had to look at why I felt so strongly. It is one thing to feel
sympathy or sadness or to promote more worker safety. It is another to slip
into self-righteousness.
As always, I had to look at how the issue was true in my
life. How am I "open for business"? I started to think about the ways
in my life that I put making a living, earning money, and paying the bills
before my safety, my health, my family, my love life, my creative endeavors, my
social life and my friends.
One way is by being constantly tethered to texts, tweets,
calls, emails, and the Internet. I compulsively check the news, my email,
Facebook, my twitter feed and respond to the ring or the buzz like one of
Pavlov's dogs. Another is always being available and "on call" for
any potential client or work. 10 pm on a Saturday night - hey it could be a
job. Then there is spending all my spare time worrying or thinking about
business possibilities or how to approach someone or getting someone to pay an
invoice. There is no down time so there is no break, no vacation, no end. I am
"open for business" 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
The root of the problem though is that it shows an
incredible lack of balance and grasp of the value of life. Is making money more
important, the most important thing in life? We tend to view it as such in our
capitalistic society, but isn't it just a means to an end? Money is merely a
way to obtain the things we need: food, shelter, clothes, transportation,
education, health care, entertainment, and security. Those are the things that
we want and need to be able to spend time with our families, friends, and do
the things that give meaning to our lives.
When I spend all my energy and time focused on the
procurement of money in order to enjoy my life to the extent that I neglect my
rest, my spiritual and creative pursuits, my friends, my family and my own
peace of mind, I have lost my way.
There is no balance between making money and all the rest of
life. It becomes the total package. I am just as much at fault in my life as
Texas is at fault in West's life.
I am ready to pull out that dusty Closed sign and put it to
use. I can turn my phone off or turn the sound off when I am reading or eating
a meal or it is after 8pm. I can let my email go to the inbox and answer at my
convenience. I can choose what news to watch or listen to or read and let the
rest go. If there is something I need to know, I will find out. I can look up
from the feed and see what is right in front of me. I am open for balance, open
for peace, open for living.
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