Independence and Innovation

The world may soon find out the full extent that the innovation of nuclear warheads could bring. Kim Jong II succeeded in testing his missiles on our celebration of Independence- Independence from the rule of the British monarchy. Now we have to fight for a new independence-Independence from the fear of a nuclear assault. Jong promises to make his threat of defeating the giant Goliath come true. I am on pins and needles as Obama goes to Russia to continue a pow wow with nations that could be garnered as allies against an unstable leader with nuclear capabilities on the horizon. To make matters worse, Israel has the go ahead to strike out at nuclear Iran, getting a pass from Saudi Arabia's airspace. It feels like an impending disaster is on the horizon. I was expecting to feel a sense of accomplishment on this near anniversary of my independence from alcohol. Instead I am trapped in an endless pursuit of news from the hotbed of our globe. I realize tensions in this region are centuries old and Armegeddon is a human fascination, but this somehow feels like a turning point in current involvement in the Middle East. My preoccupation could be the result of extra time on my hands due to summer vacation. Perhaps it is because my true interests are finally awakened after years of alcoholic slumber-I majored in political science. Or maybe things are getting a little intense right now...

Interesting article in the newspaper this morning about how the innovation of the Internet started in the US and therefore we still control a lot in the world, assuring some of our independence. But what happens as the internet becomes more of a tool of warfare and governments are required to control its realm? Does innovation equal greater independence? Can we stay ahead of the game and continue to create weapons of the virtual world? Already we have seen this be the case in the current struggle in Iran. It was in our country that server blocks were being averted so the communication could continue amongst the protestors in Iran.

We are in need of innovative thinking to keep above the fray. I practice this on a daily basis, even in the midst of Independence Day. Let me explain: we headed to the beach for the busiest day of the year. Why? Our teens are too old for the block party that has been a neighborhood tradition for a score (20 years). They invited friends and we packed the "Buttmobile" full of food, drinks (Vitamin water and tea), and the bbq grill. It was a leisurely drive through a less traveled road-we took the long way. On the way we saw plenty of field workers celebrating the day by bending over in the sun to pick the food we take for granted. This sure set the tone for appreciating all the ammenities that have been gained on the backs of our forefathers. We get to the beach and it is so packed we cannot find a place to park or even drop off our load. So we drive another hour to less populated beaches in search of a place to observe this day. At this point the driver is getting rather frustrated, so are the kids. I could only keep my mind on the boy that held a puppy in the fields as his only entertainment, as his parents worked all day. No bbqs for this young lad. Thank God innovation steps in as my husband starts to get snappy with me. We ended up back at our first stop and created a spot by parking perpendicular to cars in the usual parking spots. If only we had been so enlightened before. See, frustration blocks out possibilities. Next, we land on the beach with much effort and set up camp, tent included. Finally, we are ready to start our "celebration." However, the beach is being heavily patrolled, with every cooler being checked for alcohol and fireworks. The police, taking extra precautions, tell us we have to take down our tent because they can't see what is going on inside of the tents. Mind you, the beach looks like a tent city in a refugee camp. Innovation steps in again. My husband starts to get that angry look and I remind him of the parking spot. So he promptly works with me to create a wind shelter using the skeleton of the tent and the fly. It was a masterful exhibition of what has to be done, will be done. Imagine, if we were faced with making it work for the sake of survival, we would have found innovation on our side much quicker. Isn't this the case? We wait until we are forced to finding solutions before we go looking for them.

I was forced a year ago to find a solution to my dependence on alcohol. Now I wished I hadn't wasted so much time. I finally started to innovate and find new ways in my life to reach the HIGH. Now if I need to feel like I have drank a bottle of wine, I head to YOGA. If I need to have the comraderie of drinking buddies, I come here. If I need to laugh again and forget that the world may blow up one day, I sit here and blow off steam to you.It has occurred to me that these pages will be a good resource in years to come. So I have decided for my one year of sobriety to have these pages printed into a book. Yes, it is possible. Somebody has already innovated that. Innovation will equal independence- Independence from fear, frustration, and foes.