LESSONS from the NEWS - Tsunami, Japan

The recent Tsunami that hit Japan shocked and appalled us. Tragedy on this scale is always difficult to understand. Scientists will analyze and dissect this catastrophe, and there will be decisions taken and plans made to better tackle such issues in future. However, from the perspective of an average citizen of Planet Earth, here are some lessons that I learnt from the Tsunami.

1. Life is unpredictable.

CNN carried a wonderful article about a Japanese Marathon Runner. http://edition.cnn.com/video/#/video/world/2011/03/22/lah.japan.elderly.struggle.cnn

The report spoke of a marathon runner who was devastated by the Tsunami, as she had travelled to attend the marathon there, and was shocked by the scale of the destruction... and the shattering of her plans. However, she did what she thought was best - she attended the LA Marathon. Her story was in some way the essence of what we have to learn. Tragedy can hit at any time, and we must be able to take this in our stride, and adapt to the new conditions. But most importantly, we should be able to do our best, irrespective of the shock that will be embedded in some part of our brain, and we should find the courage in ourselves to try to win again.

2. Death doesn't discriminate.

It can hit anyone, and life always hangs by a thread. Are you going to live forever? I personally would like to do whatever is possible to live way beyond a hundred years. My argument is that if some people can do it, so can I. However, Tsunamis are rude reminders of the fragility of life, and the inevitable angel of death which will come for each of us... and it doesn't care whether we are rich or poor, intelligent or dumb, or whether we are believers or non-believers. Each of us will have to face that inevitable day, so lets not wait till we are old, to prepare for that eventuality. Lets do what we can today, to live a better life, because our turn may be next. People of Japan awoke to a harsh reality. Our next flight; our next car ride; or just a trip on the pavement may cause the closing curtain to fall. The question we should ask ourselves is "Are we ready to go?" So... lets live like today could be our last day - lets do our best, and lets make amends whenever we mess up a relationship. However lets make plans like we will live forever - lets diet and exercise, and look after our bodies like we can live forever. The vagaries of life should keep us on our toes, yet we should commit ourselves to follow our long term plans.

Have a peppy day.

Ian.