July 7th, 2010

The tragedy of the BP oil spill in the Gulf continues to be on the minds of many Americans. This man-made disaster has challenged the families and businesses whose lives have been disrupted to face their fears of losing everything they have valued – their livelihoods, their homes and businesses, their unique and beautiful natural environment, and life as they have known it for generations.

I have experienced being laid off several times in my career. I had to figure out what to do next – often making painful choices to find a less lucrative job or move to a place I didn’t want to live. I still remember the terror of having no income to support myself and my family. Anxiety and depression were sometimes overwhelming.

Put yourself in the shoes of the Gulf coast inhabitants, who have known only one livelihood – such as fishing or tourism – like generations of family members. Many have lived in the same town they’d grown up in all their lives. What can they do to find a new identity for themselves and a new way of life they can survive in?