People mistake their limitations for high standards.     – Jean Toomer

I spent a lot of time this week in the weeds of regulations and standard-setting for environmental issues, vital endeavors to be sure. 

But.

These are just tools, and like all tools, they can be used to create great new things, or to smash around making a lot of noise with little benefit – and sometimes even destruction.

It’s easier to judge than to analyze.

It’s easier to demand than to create.

In our fervor to raise the floor of what is acceptable, sometimes we also lower the ceiling of what is possible.

Dear ones,

when we find a hammer in our hands,

let’s consider what we really want to build –

before we start swinging.