Recent news, photos and videos following the cyclone in Myanmar and the earthquake in central China are truly shocking. So much natural devastation happened so quickly. So many people lost so much.
Even with well-meaning governmental and international aid, the survivors face huge challenges in grieving those who died, clearing away the debris, rebuilding infrastructure and homes, and getting the economy going again. And most importantly, individuals, families and communities face the task of reestablishing normal lives.
Where do they begin? The world typically focuses on the external necessities – supplying food, water, shelter, clothing, medicine and the like. While these are of course needed, they are the stuff of survival. But human beings, with their natural inheritance of vast brainpower, have the potential to achieve more than just survival. We are physically, mentally and spiritually wired to create our own positive reality and thrive with health, happiness and peace.
So how do we move from devastation and tragedy to stability and happiness? As soon as the shock wears off, hope is what keeps survivors from falling apart. From the inside, hope unleashes energy, ideas, and action. External aid from governments and international sources usually declines with time, as new disasters capture their attention. When this happens and there is no hope to inspire continuing progress, people and communities collapse into paralysis and failure.
The strongest and most sustaining energy for recovery comes from the human spirit. The fuel is there. What is needed is the spark of hope to get things moving and keep them going. Each in our own way, let us encourage today’s victims in Asia to choose hope, and help them create a life even better than before.
