on tragedy...

With the recent happenings in Japan, earthquake and tsunami, I am feeling really bad for the people of Japan. I wonder how and where they will begin to pick up the pieces of their lives. Tens of thousands of innocent lives lost, not to mention all of the physical damage. It will take years upon years, and billions and billions of dollars to repair the country. But the not so funny reality of it is, the country will never be fully repaired, to the state in which it was, just days ago. As a compassionate human, I have been thinking about the people of the country for the past several days. The children who have lost their parents, and the parents who have lost their children. The friends who have been lost, and the family members who will never see each other again. The delivery men and women, the clerks at the market, or the medical personal, who have all lost their lives. The really sad thing is, that it normally takes a catastrophic event such as this one, to bring people together. I think for a moment about my life. I go about my day, often taking for granted the people I run into on a daily basis; the gas station clerk, the people I interact with at work, to even some of my family members and friends. Then a tragedy hits, and I feel as though my world is crumbling. At that time, I see and talk to people who I may not have seen for many years, and somehow, my faith and belief also seems to grow when tragedy hits. It is at the time of tragedy that my heart seems to open the most, and my love for humanity and God seems to be at an all time high. But why do I, and many other people, have to wait until tragedy hits before we extend our love to each and every person we encounter every day? Shouldn’t we go through live, each and every day, spreading out love for each other, and not taking life for granted? Think for a moment about the people of Japan. All of the death and destruction, but now people have come together more than ever before. Just last week, people walked past each other without even making eye contact with one another, but today, just four days later, they are bonding, and gravitating to each other, looking for help, hope, and love. While the tragedy on the other side of the world has destroyed so very much, I now believe, this same tragedy will bring so many together. In addition, this horrible tragedy will now change the lives of so many people who survived. I would be my life, that they will never take life for granted as they may have in the past. My thoughts and prayers are with the people of Japan, and their family and friends close by.

Today’s activity: life

Today I encourage you to NOT take life for granted. Try not to let a tragedy in your life, or in the world, motivate you to greet and smile at every person you come into contact with. From greeting the clerk at the market, so saying I LOVE YOU to your loved ones, try and make the most of your day and life. In knowing that tragedy brings us closer together, be close before tragedy hits. We all need each other, and God has put us on this earth to connect, discovery, and be happy. We need to do more of that with one another, and less attitude and ignorance. One of my personal favorite sayings is: “I’m a lover, not a fighter”. I do try and practice that, but sometimes it is easier said than done!