Accidental Activist

When I wrote my last blog entry, I had no idea it would get so much attention.  If you look at all of the previous entries, although few, it is obvious that this blog was not designed around activism. It was designed so that I could share the pictures I take and the stories surrounding them.  I never planned on my blog being read by anyone other than the people I know and love.  So the fact that my day long, emotional journey concerning gas drilling around my Aunt's lake house struck a chord with so many people I didn't know came as a huge shock to me.  But as my blog began to be shared on various sites I realized that the reason it struck a chord was because it wasn't written from a political or environmentalist point of view.  It wasn't about how anyone else felt or thought about the drilling.  It wasn't based on facts or studies.  It was based on my emotions and thoughts as I dealt with the possibility of drilling activity around a place near and dear to my heart.  Along with the positive feedback, I also received some emails complaining that my writing was not based in fact.  That I was only telling one side of the story.  That I needed to visit this website or that website to get the real story.  That I needed to make sure I was using proper names of equipment.  I was even told  "Don't become an Arkansas version of Josh Fox".   To those people I have this reply.  This was an account of my experiences.  There are no other sides to present because no one else can experience my emotions or thoughts.  Visiting a website that explains the economic virtues of drilling isn't going to make it beautiful to me.  I don't care if calling a piece of equiment by the wrong name made me less credible to readers.   I wasn't trying to change anyone's mind.  In fact, I closed my entry admitting that I didn't have the answers.  I believe that everything happens for a reason.  That we are steered in the direction we are meant to go.  My blog led me to an amazing group of people who are fighting to make drilling as environmentally friendly as possible.  It also led me to them at a pivotal moment in their fight and I was so honored and humbled to be a part of it. I also had the pleasure of witnessing some very special young people in my life become interested enough in the environment to spend two nights learning more. Casey, Joey, Jackson and Hannah... I am so proud of you for taking an interest and a stand even when it puts you at odds with many of your friends.  I look at you and know the future is bright.  Last week I was actually amused having someone warn me about becoming Josh Fox, because when I wrote the blog, he was simply the guy who made Gasland.  I only used his movie trailor because it was the shortest video explaining the fracking process on YouTube.  But after my blog led me to those amazing people, they led me to the opportunity to meet Josh in person.  I got to hear him answer questions in a panel discussion.  He sat up there with no note cards or talking points.  He answered questions from people who were unhappy with the drilling and from people in support of the industry.    No representatives of the gas industry were willing to do that.  This was their opportunity to "Debunk Gasland" in person and they didn't take it.  That, to me, speaks volumes and I can think of no higher compliment than for someone to think I could ever become an Arkansas version of him.  When I wrote that blog a week ago, I wasn't an activist.  But thanks to that blog, I am now.