When looking at photos of the oil spill in the Gulf, I felt flooded with despair, sadness and hopelessness; the well-being of the Earth, the water, the people and animals are so deeply precious to me.  When I consider the quantity of oil pouring out, I fear sometimes that the gulf between our actions and what we value is too wide.  Yet today, connecting continually with the Earth, I feel more peaceful, calm, trusting.