Drip by F. Gaines Whitington

Drip

Gaines Whitington

And the water says: drought. It seems so dry, bleak, hopeless. People need water. Life needs water. There’s no substitute, no second string, plan B. No food? No problem, we grow more…make more – we’re in control, until no water. Now that’s a crisis. Or is it? Perhaps or maybe it is an opportunity. A universal motivator, urging the common man to band together and champion a cause, a reason to get involved. Sad it takes a never-ending dust bowl to get people talking. Interested. Well, they’re involved anyway, and that’s something. Something is a funny thing really. It’s better than nothing but rarely the thing – that divine intervention or golden solution to the crisis. Drip. Crisis? Right back to the water, or lack thereof. Anti-water, H2No. So if the farmers, field workers, day laborers, the common man- if their something isn’t the thing you know, the solution… then whose thing is the thing? Simple question but no answer to match. It’s best to start somewhere - somewhere is better than nowhere.

Let’s start with Congress. I nominate you to solve the water crisis. You’ve got the power, anyways. The resources, network – just snap those well-manicured fingers and get this dusty mess cleaned up. Great. Groovy. So let’s just say hypothetically there’s at least one compassionate and informed brain functioning in congress. And in the interest of our hypothetical, this guy – advocate for the common man we’ll call him, let’s say he corrals enough of his capitol hill buds to roll out legislature to fund the drought. Drip. Ding dong the drought is dead, right?

Wrong. But it’s a start, a first step hopefully the first of many steps. Whose foot takes the next step? Let’s get going- the common man is thirsty. Thirsty? Right the crisis. No,  the solution. Science, and of course his talented twin technology. Back into our hypothetical – congress passed the torch to tech, and by torch we mean funding. Now, in a community filled with brains- smart ones, really smart ones, collaboration breeds innovation. It’s elementary my dear water! The solution! Drip. The solution is implemented immediately, relief, all according to calculation, well almost.

Uh oh, new variables, unexpected variables, unforeseen global response to mankind’s innovation. Nature, nobody saw this coming. What else isn’t seen? Rain. Snowfall. Precipitation, moisture, water. Crisis! Hard fought but not yet over. Let’s quench our thirst for a solution. Solution, answer, water. Always back at water, water is in control. Outside, inside, outside again, this dumb box has no solution. Forget the box – zoom out, stop thinking so hard, do less, relax, reflect. That’s right – respect. Don’t dive too deep into your wellspring of emotion but take a look at water (if you can find any). How does water feel? Water is fucking pissed!! Hurt, abused – that’s on us. Yep – you, me, common man, congress, innovators, implementers, your mom. Hm – we’re all stakeholders. Involved: accountable. Damaging and damaged. Water had, has and will have control. Stop struggling – give water control and pick a different power. Personal accountability. Drip. Simple, the solution isn’t simple, it’s multifaceted and complex – so what’s simple then? Our approach. Cut the complex and start simply. Personal accountability, responsibility, recognition, realization. Change and solution. Drip.

Water is in control of water. Man is in control of Man. Two simple sentences with convoluted interaction. Complexity. Again. Dedicated not one more moment to deciphering the relation. Give water control and take accountability. I am accountable for me, for my actions and their effects. Great! Well good. Me is just me but all of us are we. Connected, accountable for self and others. The life of one common man has consequence for himself, other men like him, other men not like him, and others that aren’t men at all. That’s right – your every action, even if ever so slight, have effects.

Don’t let our ignorance to the ripple effect dry up the water in which we ripple. Give control, take accountability, regain environmental consciousness, reevaluate lifestyle, modify, work with and for others. Drip. No more pointing, no more passing, no blaming. Don’t be ashamed, silence the frustration. Let’s earn our water and route it towards the most severe thirst. All are thirsty, let those who deserve, drink. Drip.