These disasters just won’t quit. And just as I’ve been feeling exhausted by all of it, just as I’ve wanted to turn off the TV and look away, just as I’ve felt overwhelmed and miserable about everything that’s happened, I remember that I’m pretty damn lucky to be able to switch off the TV and have the pictures go away.
For those affected by the trifecta of disasters in Japan, the earthquake in Christchurch or the cyclone or floods in Queensland (remember them?), there is no way to turn it off.
Which is why I wanted to share this post from Lana that I read on her own blog yesterday:
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It is fairly well documented that I am slightly neurotic (using slightly to mean over the top) and well, I am a little bit of a scaredy cat. I have always been afraid of huge weather phenomena and if I must admit it, end of the world prophecies.
Suffice to say, I have been a bit of a wreck this week. Coping okay on the outside (although my husband may not agree with this) but inside feeling frightened, scared and particularly bleak.
I heard a woman on the radio speaking about how these continuing disasters (the earthquakes, tsunamis, floods and cyclones for the reader that is living under a rock) affect the population and how important it is for those of us that are living out of the affected areas to try and return to “normal activities” rather than getting stuck in the disaster.
I realize how important that is – especially for my son and to some extent all the people around me who are having to not only put up with my constant jumpiness but deal with the very maudlin air around me.
I spoke to my sister on the phone today and I heard something in the background that sounded distinctly like a siren. I panicked and yelled down the phone ‘what’s that noise, what’s happening, are you okay?’ . ‘Um yes, Lana’ she replied, ‘that “siren” is the national anthem playing in the background on TV’. Alright then I may not have returned to normal activities completely but I am giving it my best shot.
So to get me back on track I have decided I need to focus on all the good things in my life – all the things that I am incredibly grateful for:
My husband who is supportive, compassionate and caring beyond what is reasonable expected of a human
My son who is just himself and in that he is perfect
My sister who always gives me balance and unconditional support
Okay now that I have finished sounding like an Oscar’s acceptance speech, I would also like to thank the rest of my family and my friends (oops can’t stop the Oscar’s speech now, I totally get why they carry on for so long)
But seriously I am grateful for the fact that:
I have the most awesome job and am surrounded by smart and amazing people both physically and online and I am way too busy to sink into despair about the fact that the world is falling apart
I don’t live in Japan
I don’t live in Libya (or in fact any place where I hear news of air strikes and heavy military bombardment in my neighbourhood)
I can go to sleep at night in a safe, comfortable and peaceful home
I have perspective (even if it’s only a tiny bit), I can see what is happening to others and instead of feeling terrible for myself I can rejoice in how lucky I am and donate as generously as I can to others that are not even one millionth as lucky as I am.
I can hope for a better future for all of humanity
I really am truly grateful. And that is what I am going to focus on.
About the Author: Lana grew up in South Africa where she learned to read, write and teach others to do the same. She gave up teaching when she arrived in Australia and tried her hand at almost everything else. She now lives happily in Sydney with her husband, son and dog. She has the dream Site Manager position at Mamamia and when she has a spare minute she tweets here and blogs here.
