The challenges of an interdependent life...living in the Gray

I've often wondered what it would be like to be totally self sufficient. The recent earthquake and hurricane have reinforced how interdependent I am. To make matters worse I make my living depending on other people to do things in a certain way and on a certain schedule. I've had jobs in the past where that was easy, if they worked for me I could tell them what to do and promise to fire them if they didn't meet my expectations...it worked pretty well, I've only ever had to fire two people. So how did I find myself in my current challenge; not only don't I have anyone that reports directly to me (that's pretty nice actually), but many of my endeavors are highly collaborative meaning that I need to have an entire group of people work toward a common goal while they each have their own agendas and personal priorities.

That aside my style of living is quite interdependent and even with the minor inconveniences of the hurricane and it's aftermath things for me were pretty easy. The house didn't fall down or wash away, I had hot water (gas) and found a friend with a generator and freezer space. Beyond that I was able to live by candlelight at home and by coffee when working. Coffee shop that is. I spent the better part of two days camped out at a couple different coffee shops that had power, internet, and of course coffee...oh and a couple dozen fellow refugees. All-in-all it was pretty pleasant, a bit noisier than I'm used to, but very tolerable. While waiting for the power I think I probably talked to more of my neighbors than I had in the last few months. The final luck was that the weather post-hurricane was beautiful so not having AC was fine...well except for the drone of my neighbors' generators.

The idea of being totally self sufficient only really appeals to me when sailing in the ocean. Out there self sufficient is the key and there is something totally humbling and calming about that; but on dry land I'm a people person and living in and around people that effect my daily life is part of what makes it living. I could certainly be a lot more interdependent than I am, but relying on people and services and social interaction is actually a good thing for me...and I might suggest the same is true for others.

So much of our public dialog has been about us and them, but when reality enters the equation and I begin to realize how little we actually control in terms of the happening of our daily lives.  It really is about living in a society where on a personal level I like to believe that most people are willing to help one another when they are in need. If only that willingness would extend to our public dialog as well I think we would be able to accomplish a lot more than scoring political points and maybe always have to speak in terms of them, they, the other side, etc.  With that willingness could come compromise and progress on so many important issues.

Seldom are the issues that divide as black and white as they seem from a distance...Personal experience is one of the greatest teachers and ideologies aside; many divisive issues look a lot grayer at close range.

I think life is lived in the gray.