I woke up to the guilt of wanting to sleep in longer.
I job searched and bemoaned my current unemployment situation for the thousandth time.
I went through my usual routine of primping and painting my rough-night's-sleep of a face.
I packed my bags for a much anticipated trip with my sister to Rexburg to visit old friends.
And it wasn't until I reached my sister's apartment that I learned that half-way across the world, disaster had struck.
Breaking news on the television screen reported of a massive 8.9 magnitude earthquake that had hit the Pacific Ocean near Northeastern Japan causing damage with blackouts, fire, and the most devastatingly of all, tsunami. The deadly tsunami, spawned by one of the largest quakes ever recorded, slammed into the nation's East coast leaving a swath of devastation in it's wake.
My heart sank. Here I was, going about my unremarkable day, and there was a country in crisis, facing much bigger problems then I. I was, and am, sufficiently humbled. What do I have to complain about? Seeing the images of the devastation was heart wrenching.
No one ever really has the answer as to why these sort of things happen. We often find ourselves asking "why?" When the tragedy is over, the real struggle begins. How do we as human beings pick ourselves up when we fall? How do we face adversity?
No one ever really has the answer as to why these sort of things happen. We often find ourselves asking "why?" When the tragedy is over, the real struggle begins. How do we as human beings pick ourselves up when we fall? How do we face adversity?
Arthur Goldwin, and American Writer, wrote, "Adversity is like a strong wind. It tears away from us all but the things that cannot be torn, so that we see ourselves as we really are."
So what are we? I believe that we are greater than we can even comprehend. Only through intense pressure does a coal become a diamond. Only in the fire of affliction do we become purified. Adversity can prove to be our finest hour.
Naotaka Matsukata, senior policy advisor at Alston and Bird, LLP : "When historians 100 years from now will put this event in the context of Japan's modern history of response and rebuilding after crisis, they will see it as just one more time the people of Japan have come together and made recovery a catalyst for reform and prosperity."
So what are we? I believe that we are greater than we can even comprehend. Only through intense pressure does a coal become a diamond. Only in the fire of affliction do we become purified. Adversity can prove to be our finest hour.
Naotaka Matsukata, senior policy advisor at Alston and Bird, LLP : "When historians 100 years from now will put this event in the context of Japan's modern history of response and rebuilding after crisis, they will see it as just one more time the people of Japan have come together and made recovery a catalyst for reform and prosperity."
It's no coincidence that Japan is often known as the Land of the Rising Sun. I only pray that I would have the strength to rise each day and face whatever comes my way. Come what may, and love it.
Want to help?
Here is a list of some of the organizations that are aiding in the nation's recovery:
Want to help?
Here is a list of some of the organizations that are aiding in the nation's recovery:
Loved this. you are awesome! ps. what kind of job are u hunting for? hope you find one soon!
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