The Values of Working in the Alberta Oil Sands

Chapter 1: The Value of Action: Statistics have shown that companies in the Alberta oil sand industry such as URS Flint and others have taken action to protect their workers, the environment and the wild life. For this program to be successfully implemented, every one seeking employment in this special industry; needs to make safe working practices an everyday lifestyle. It is a known fact that adults learn from experience, therefore as a professional of the Alberta oil sand construction industry, I have taken action, to be proactive on and off the job, and develop an attitude, that motivates me to learn and accept new ideas, that will enhance my health and safety ability, at work, in my community, and at home. Emotions are a central part of our life and it is suggested by many experienced educators that emotion drives attention. This would suggest that everyone must intentionally develop a mental attitude, and conscious awareness of unsafe working conditions. In the Alberta oil sand industry a hazardous emergency could happen to anyone, anyplace, anywhere, anytime, which demands our undivided, continuous attention every moment of the day. Whenever we are confronted with an unexpected hazardous experience on the job, or at home, we should be equipped, with knowledge of safety awareness, and training that will assist us, in taking positive action. Planned action allows us to use our professional skills acquired by experience and training; to overcome challenges as we navigate, many of the hostile terrains, of life’s challenging journey. Safety awareness, will allow us to eliminate many of the incredible odds, and give us added incentive to be successful. But just what is success anyway? Success is the ability to accomplish your goals, regardless of the difficulties, you experience in your everyday activities. To succeed means to remain healthy and alive. In my thinking; success is taking any given circumstance, accepting the challenges, and using them as learning experiences, which will give us the mental and physical ability to take action; to introduce and develop a plan of action that is safe and conducive to a knowledgeable outcome; that will improve our learning experience, and enhance our ability to assist others. Success is a state of the mind. For what the mind perceives, the mind can achieve. If you truly believe, and take action that is relevant to the success formula you will achieve health and wealth. The healthier our self-awareness and self-esteem, the more inclined we are, to take action. This will lead to a lifestyle, which enhances our ability to achieve our goals and objectives, of health and wealth, financially, physically, mentally, spiritually and emotionally. When I take positive action, it allows me to become harmoniously balanced, to face all the difficult challenges, I have encountered in life’s pathway. I have discovered that success depends on a person's ability to withstand difficult, hazardous and stressful conditions, and be willing to take action to use my God given abilities, to challenge any difficult situation, that may be seen as impossible to others. Our brain is the most capable and valuable equipment we have been given. If we use it with confidence, there is no limit to true success. Our brain is our most valuable asset, in this world of competitive and stressful environments, where survival of the fittest is the norm. I have experienced, that it is not always the most physically equipped people, who are the most successful in handling hazardous emergency situations. It is the special people, who choose to use their experience, knowledge and skills; developed through their journey of life, to eliminate or contain the hazard they have encountered. Success more often depends on our reactions to stressful, and hazardous situations, rather than upon the existing danger. It is the time and action one takes, to assess the danger and mentally or physically, remove or avoid the hazard that is the most effective tool. Humans are given the ability to adapt, live and work in stressful environments and take all the necessary actions to achieve success. Mental skills, in most situations are more important than physical skills, as we navigate life’s challenging pathway; which requires, us to take positive action; to get us to our final destination. A person's mental, psychological, spiritual and emotional reactions to environmental stressors can often make them valuable and available resources to us, the world and community we live in. Therefore, we should always respect and value others’ input. We have been given, mental and physical skills, by our Creator, to be of service to all people. Use them well, with love and compassion. We must develop a positive mental attitude, to love and work with all peoples, regardless of their ethnic or cultural background. We should never believe that we are the smartest person on the job or in whatever activity we are engaging in. An intelligent and wise leader gleans, from the resources in their working environment. Do not choose to be a manipulator. Be a person who is willing to help others achieve success and their set goals and objectives and you will be rewarded. By helping others we are helping ourselves. Knowledge is potential power. It is only useful, when it is energized and put in service. We must be willing, by God’s grace, to visualize and entertain a mental perception within our mind, that everything is possible and that all things work together for good to them that believe and take positive action to complete their task. Whatever challenges we face in life, we should see them, as learning experiences. Attitude is a psychological state of the mind that influences our actions and reactions to life’s challenges. Our attitudes and actions are the most important ingredients of a successful lifestyle. With the proper attitude everything is possible. To make it through life successfully, the right attitude and actions are imperative and are powerful tools to be used for success. A powerful desire to succeed must go hand in hand with a willingness to help others achieve their goals. Our mind has the potential power to influence our body in accomplishing phenomenal and extraordinary goals and objectives. Research has shown me, that taking the right action has often been the major factor for success. It is the action taken by companies that allows oil to be extracted from the oil sand and the reason why companies are willing to invest in construction projects. If the appropriate action was not taken by companies to develop the Alberta oil sands, there would be no possibility to invest our time and talent to be successful skilled workers in this industry. With the opportunity provided by investors, I have taken positive action to develop my mental ability and skills to challenge the many hazardous conditions, and make what seems to be impossible possible. Successful action is possible in most challenging situations, but it demands a lot of personal willingness, to develop the courage and an attitude of cooperation and unity by individuals. Construction workers can be very brave and resourceful when in emergency situations, however the most important factor in a successful project, is to assess and take action to prevent and eliminate the hazards, before they become an incident for emergency response. I have experienced that our mind, is a very powerful force and it must be nurtured and used to foster love and respect for others, as we work together to obtain health and wealth. Our mind cooperates with our mind-body to control the mental, physical, internal and external stressful environments that challenge our ability to succeed. What affects us mentally, affects us physically and emotionally, therefore we must develop a mental and spiritual attitude, to appreciate the success of others.