Four S
trong Women’s blog is about rants, humor or a combination of both. However, with the disaster that has struck Japan I hate to whine or rant about anything, and I’m certainly not in a humorous mood. What gripe or problem can one compare to the total devastation, loss of human life and fear of a nuclear explosion that has descended on the people of Japan—one that will ultimately change the entire world!
Today, as I was surfing from one group to another, a post about Japan’s earthquake caught my attention and I clicked on it out of curiosity. I recommend surfing over to it. The author has a very thought-provoking post with several great resource links. I missed yesterday’s post here—once again family drama and chaos reared its head—so since L.K. inspired me, I thought I’d have a change of pace here on 4SW and consider the reality of how fragile our lives, our worlds and our outlooks really are.
One thing I mentioned in comments on the author’s blog was that my hubby and I were discussing the amount of national and world disasters we’ve witnessed during our life spans. We’re not old by any means, so as I reflected on the fact that I’ve watched the upset of Mt. St. Helen’s eruption, horrible tornados that have literally wiped towns off the map, Hurricanes Katrina, Hugo, Andrew, Francis, Ivan (and so many others), the last years of the Viet Nam War (police action? Not!), Desert Storm, the Gulf War (and so on), the horror of 9-11, the California Quake of 1989 that shredded I-880, the Haiti quake…
Get the idea? It’s scary when you think about it. My mother calls me and goes on about the Later Days, and once she’s finished, I say, “Gee, thanks for cheering me up, Mom.” She chuckles and replies, “I can always count on your sarcasm, Faith.”
I may be sarcastic, but there’s a note of seriousness in such a reply. My mother’s worries make me pause and think: Is all this craziness over the last 50 years normal? Is Mother Earth gearing up to shake her coat and send all the fleas on her back flying to the four winds?
I don’t mean to be all doom and gloom, but it’s human nature to take things for granted, so when disasters such as the Japan earthquake occurs and the threat of radiation hangs over our heads, it should force us all put our lives in perspective. So what if you couldn’t buy those delicious steaks because you were $50 short on the grocery budget. At least you have food. I’m sure there are many in Japan who would give anything for a peanut butter and jelly sandwich right now. So what if your mattress is lumpy. At least you have a bed and a roof over your head.
We all complain about things, but when it all boils down to the base of the pot, we have a lot to be thankful for.
And I believe there are blessings born from disasters. Perhaps this will wake up the world and make us all realize the human race will be further ahead by helping one another and tossing prejudices aside.
Next week Marci will be blogging here at 4SW, so be sure to follow us, if you haven’t already, and check our blog to see what Marci comes up with.
Oh, btw, today is my last day at Long and Short Reviews, so be sure to answer the mini essay questions (scroll down on the blog page there to access all the posts) or comment on one or all of them for a chance to win a $10 gift cert from Silver Publishing.
http://www.longandshortreviews.com/LASR/index.htm
Have a great weekend, and pray, light a candle, or whatever practice you observe for the people in Japan, and everyone throughout the world during these frightening times.
trong Women’s blog is about rants, humor or a combination of both. However, with the disaster that has struck Japan I hate to whine or rant about anything, and I’m certainly not in a humorous mood. What gripe or problem can one compare to the total devastation, loss of human life and fear of a nuclear explosion that has descended on the people of Japan—one that will ultimately change the entire world!Today, as I was surfing from one group to another, a post about Japan’s earthquake caught my attention and I clicked on it out of curiosity. I recommend surfing over to it. The author has a very thought-provoking post with several great resource links. I missed yesterday’s post here—once again family drama and chaos reared its head—so since L.K. inspired me, I thought I’d have a change of pace here on 4SW and consider the reality of how fragile our lives, our worlds and our outlooks really are.
One thing I mentioned in comments on the author’s blog was that my hubby and I were discussing the amount of national and world disasters we’ve witnessed during our life spans. We’re not old by any means, so as I reflected on the fact that I’ve watched the upset of Mt. St. Helen’s eruption, horrible tornados that have literally wiped towns off the map, Hurricanes Katrina, Hugo, Andrew, Francis, Ivan (and so many others), the last years of the Viet Nam War (police action? Not!), Desert Storm, the Gulf War (and so on), the horror of 9-11, the California Quake of 1989 that shredded I-880, the Haiti quake…
Get the idea? It’s scary when you think about it. My mother calls me and goes on about the Later Days, and once she’s finished, I say, “Gee, thanks for cheering me up, Mom.” She chuckles and replies, “I can always count on your sarcasm, Faith.”
I may be sarcastic, but there’s a note of seriousness in such a reply. My mother’s worries make me pause and think: Is all this craziness over the last 50 years normal? Is Mother Earth gearing up to shake her coat and send all the fleas on her back flying to the four winds?
I don’t mean to be all doom and gloom, but it’s human nature to take things for granted, so when disasters such as the Japan earthquake occurs and the threat of radiation hangs over our heads, it should force us all put our lives in perspective. So what if you couldn’t buy those delicious steaks because you were $50 short on the grocery budget. At least you have food. I’m sure there are many in Japan who would give anything for a peanut butter and jelly sandwich right now. So what if your mattress is lumpy. At least you have a bed and a roof over your head.
We all complain about things, but when it all boils down to the base of the pot, we have a lot to be thankful for.
And I believe there are blessings born from disasters. Perhaps this will wake up the world and make us all realize the human race will be further ahead by helping one another and tossing prejudices aside.
Next week Marci will be blogging here at 4SW, so be sure to follow us, if you haven’t already, and check our blog to see what Marci comes up with.
Oh, btw, today is my last day at Long and Short Reviews, so be sure to answer the mini essay questions (scroll down on the blog page there to access all the posts) or comment on one or all of them for a chance to win a $10 gift cert from Silver Publishing.
http://www.longandshortreviews.com/LASR/index.htm
Have a great weekend, and pray, light a candle, or whatever practice you observe for the people in Japan, and everyone throughout the world during these frightening times.
15 comments:
Great post, Faith. I do take things for granted, and I really shouldn't. Every now and again, I'll remind myself about one thing, but then I'll end up taking something else for granted instead. Fact is, I've got a great life and I'd love to be able to appreciate all of it 100% of the time.
Thanks for the mention about my blog.
Thanks for stopping in to see what I wrote, L.K.! And I have the mentions linked and bolded now (always forget to do that, lol), so I hope it sends some traffic to your post.
Faith,
You're absolutely right, it does make one ponder. I try so very hard to give thanks for what I have daily, but it's so easy to get caught uo in the daily drama of living. Thanks for focusing back on what's really important. We really need to live each moment to its fullest potential.
Bobbye
Morning Bobbye.
Yes, it is easy to get wrapped up in daily life. I have a huge conscience and every time I realize I'm whining about something that really is trivial in comparison to something much bigger out there in the world, I always feels o guilty. I thank God every chance I get for all that I have and for an incredible family to help me through everything.
I feel for all those who have lost their loved ones in the earthquake.
We must be sisters, because my mother has the same theme going, but I just think we're more aware of worldwide things now than people used to be. However,that worldview should give us the perspective that goes with it. We are incredibly lucky, and the Japanese people are demonstrating a grace and kindness that shames me. Particularly the nuclear plant workers who know they are giving up their lives for their fellow people. Their families! I can't even imagine their pain or loss...
Kate, last night my hubby, Matthew, said something similar about the people giving up their lives to help rectify the nuclear reactor. There was a report on the news about a man who was 6 months from retiring from that plant. Matthew looked at me with this strange light in his eyes and said, "Can you imagine how his family, his wife feels? I know they're proud of him, but the pain, fear, and worry that they know they're going to lose him has to be devastating."
I can't even imagine and it bothers me to even try.
Amen to it all, Faith. Considering that Japan is also a rather small island compared to its population, and that the fallout in that neighborhood could have a 1/2life of 30,000yrs.....well, doesn't look great there, either.
If anyone can pull through it it's probably the Japanese, though.
There is no question this is devastating. When this all happened, I was in Colonial Williamsburg, VA, attending a conference. Imagine my horror at the news that a tsunami was headed for the coast of California where my husband and daughter were. That sounds selfish, I know, after seeing the devastation caused by the earthquake and tsunami in Japan, but my first thought was for my family. I pray everyday for the containment of the nuclear power reactor that is heating up.
Faith, do you remember Robyn M. Speed from Wild Child Magazine days? She lives in Christchurch, NZ.
I think it could be the end of days, but only as we know it. I don't think everyone will die or that it's Armageddon, but certainly life is changing. We can only pray that it's for the better.
BTW, if you believe in the ring of fire, California is next. I'm praying that's not so.
You said a mouthful, Faith. We've all got so much to be thankful for. And I don't mean to be all doom and gloom either,but, all of these disasters,the wars, earthquakes, volcanoes, tornadoes and hurricanes hold a significance that can't be ignored.
And as for Japan, I'm totally in awe at the sacrifices those men are making...and the people, peaceful, calm, resolved and helping their neighbors however they can.
Decadent, those figures are so scary!
Yes, I know/remember Robyn, Marci. She chats with me every now and then on fb.
Lisa, I agree. I'm in awe of those people too.
Hi Faith,
I sat up late with my daughter watching a special report on Japan. It was so sad. Later I saw another report where people were standing in long lines for food and water. One lady said, "We're a patient people. This is nothing." She was an older woman and I wondered if she was remembering WWII.
Janice~
Janice~
If this would have happened anywhere else we would have seen highlights of rioting and stealing, but not in Japan. I was amazed at that alone. We could learn so much from their patience and consideration for the fact that they are ALL suffering.
Faith, it is all food for thought. My sister and I were talking about this earlier in the day. It seems it's on a lot of people's minds. We only have today, and we should live it to the fullest. So much to think about...
Christina, you're absolutely right.
Hi Maddie! And yes, we should all live life to the fullest!
Every winter when I hear people bitch and moan about the cold and snow, my usual comment is "at least at the end of winter, I know my house will still be standing". Because I know that hurricane and tornado and fire seasons will be starting and someone else will lose everything including loved ones.
I learned long ago not to moan what I don't have but to be grateful for what I do.
I have always believed the Earth to be a living, breathing entity, in its own way. I think this would be right about the menopause state.
And my daughter is out in LA and I called her too about it, worried. She told me to take a chill pill. Right. And I'm the one that has worked disasters for the last 20 years, including NY Power Plants.
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