Japan's Tragedy - A Global Call For Humanity
Humans are pretty selfish. Like most creatures on this earth our ultimate and simplest two instincts are to procreate to continue the species, and to survive against all adversities and odds. The difference between us and all other creatures of course is we tend to create our own adversities and odds. We think about us first and everyone and everything else second.
That wasn't always the case. Not too long ago we existed around close-knit villages where the good of the group was as important if not more important than the independent needs or wants of the individual. Prior to that, to the very dawn of our existence, there is evidence we always worked in groups, hunting, foraging, surviving.
So it is a little disconcerting some days to see how cut off we have become from one another. Many of us work in cubicles, we rarely participate in group activities unless our little Johnny is on the soccer team, and then it's "watch out everyone else cause I want Johnny to get his minutes or the coach is going to get an earful from me."
Sometimes, it takes a tragedy of biblical proportions to remind us of our humanity; today may have been one of those days. As most of us here in the U.S. slept, Japan suffered the worst earthquake in its recorded history. It was followed by a Tsunami the lights of which the world has never seen. Not to that extent and covered by so many cameras. We have watched helplessly today in disbelief as whole communities disappeared under the unceasing waters. Whole towns being wiped away right in front of our eyes as we watched the footage from helicopter cameras. The desperation is simply impossible to grasp, the damage seemingly insurmountable.
But one thing I know in my heart of hearts, the world will open its arms. As it has been with so many tragedies in the past, we will put away our "me" attitudes for a little bit and help. Some of us will donate money, others may get on a plane to lend their medical expertise. Some of us will just pray.
The one bright spot in these massive tragedies is that temporary outpouring of humanity. The sad part is it never lasts for long. We will watch the damage on T.V. and maybe even act with our checkbooks or our feet. Yet no matter how tragic, in a few days the coverage will move onto something new. Some famous Hollywood star will steal the spotlight from what is really important and we will all follow along. Some idiot who we place on a pedestal will "Charlie Sheen" it and we will all forget about Japan like yesterday's paper.
For now though, while it has your attention, please do what you can. If you can afford a donation no matter how small, please find a reputable charity like the Red Cross http://www.redcross.org/en/ and give. If you have some form of expertise, go to your local government offices and see if they are planning to send help. If you believe in a higher power, please pray for the people of Japan. They are our brothers and sisters and today our brothers and sisters need us. Soon enough you will be back to worrying about red carpet faux pas and reality shows. For now, your village needs you. The people of Japan, need you.
That wasn't always the case. Not too long ago we existed around close-knit villages where the good of the group was as important if not more important than the independent needs or wants of the individual. Prior to that, to the very dawn of our existence, there is evidence we always worked in groups, hunting, foraging, surviving.
So it is a little disconcerting some days to see how cut off we have become from one another. Many of us work in cubicles, we rarely participate in group activities unless our little Johnny is on the soccer team, and then it's "watch out everyone else cause I want Johnny to get his minutes or the coach is going to get an earful from me."
Sometimes, it takes a tragedy of biblical proportions to remind us of our humanity; today may have been one of those days. As most of us here in the U.S. slept, Japan suffered the worst earthquake in its recorded history. It was followed by a Tsunami the lights of which the world has never seen. Not to that extent and covered by so many cameras. We have watched helplessly today in disbelief as whole communities disappeared under the unceasing waters. Whole towns being wiped away right in front of our eyes as we watched the footage from helicopter cameras. The desperation is simply impossible to grasp, the damage seemingly insurmountable.
But one thing I know in my heart of hearts, the world will open its arms. As it has been with so many tragedies in the past, we will put away our "me" attitudes for a little bit and help. Some of us will donate money, others may get on a plane to lend their medical expertise. Some of us will just pray.
The one bright spot in these massive tragedies is that temporary outpouring of humanity. The sad part is it never lasts for long. We will watch the damage on T.V. and maybe even act with our checkbooks or our feet. Yet no matter how tragic, in a few days the coverage will move onto something new. Some famous Hollywood star will steal the spotlight from what is really important and we will all follow along. Some idiot who we place on a pedestal will "Charlie Sheen" it and we will all forget about Japan like yesterday's paper.
For now though, while it has your attention, please do what you can. If you can afford a donation no matter how small, please find a reputable charity like the Red Cross http://www.redcross.org/en/ and give. If you have some form of expertise, go to your local government offices and see if they are planning to send help. If you believe in a higher power, please pray for the people of Japan. They are our brothers and sisters and today our brothers and sisters need us. Soon enough you will be back to worrying about red carpet faux pas and reality shows. For now, your village needs you. The people of Japan, need you.
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