One thing that caught my attention, too, was the extended impact of this earthquake with the tsunami warnings that were posted for so many different countries. Here is a small clip from an on-line report I found that emphasizes this fact:
"The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center cancels its widespread alert after smaller-than-expected waves hit Japan and Russia. Earlier, experts had issued a warning for 53 countries and regions in the area."
Wow! Fifty-three countries impacted by this one earthquake! I discuss on today's podcast how this brought a few thoughts to mind on how we are connected in this world in so many ways. Let's look at this thought first and then I'll discuss another train of thought that came to mind with this terrible tragedy.
First of all, this world is connected in many more ways than just the physical impact that this earthquake had on some many areas and countries. Because of the expansiveness of our modern media, we have almost IMMEDIATE news and images brought to us from all over the world when such a tragedy strikes.
Yes, there IS also a positive side to the same media that I "ranted" about in last weeks program and it is how it CAN make us all aware of the need for help in situations like this. It also can help us have empathy for those suffering from such a tragedy and, hopefully, move us to ACTION to help in whatever way that we can.
CAUTION: However, we still must be very careful with the AMOUNT of coverage of this tragedy that we allow ourselves to "consume". We can become overwhelmed with emotion to the point of depression if we sit and watch the non-stop coverage of these terrible happenings in our world. So, just be aware of that and be careful in the AMOUNT of coverage that you take in.
Technology also allows us to be connected to people all over the world and to be impacted by these events because of that connection. I have a friend, Carola, that is from Chile and, although rattled and pretty much having everything in her house destroyed, she is alive and well! I have never met Carola but have "connected" with her through several different avenues available on the Internet including Facebook.
You have similar instances in your life, I'm sure. We have the ability to be in contact with people that we have never even met - WOW!
But, here's the question: What are you doing with that?
Here's what I mean - you may have 10,000 followers on Twitter and 10,000 friends on Facebook, but what are you doing with that? Is it just a "let's see who can get the most numbers" thing or is it an OPPORTUNITY for YOU to do good and impact lives?
I really want to encourage you to consider the latter and take advantage of the "tools" available to each of us today to impact people's lives all around this wonderful world of ours! Sure, chat with your friends and laugh and have fun, but also take the time to encourage and share positive thoughts and ideas.
Finally, the Chilean earthquake, along with the recent earthquake in Haiti brought to mind some thoughts that are a little more sobering. There are NO GUARANTEES in life! Put even more plainly, LIFE IS NOT GUARANTEED!
You've heard me say (or read) many times that TODAY is all we have and that "tomorrow" is an illusion. Recently in our discussion of 12 Things to Do For a Positive Life we ended with something along the lines of, "Make the most of each day and evening because, once gone, they are gone forever!"
Think of the countless numbers of people in Chile and Haiti that, either the day before or even earlier in the same day, spoke to friends and family for the last time without realizing it. I'm not trying to be morbid, I promise. I'm simply trying to bring into focus the need for us to make the most of the time we have NOW!
Make the most of each day. Do today what needs to be done. Don't put it off. Don't wait for a better opportunity to share you life and love with those around you. Do it TODAY.
Keep those that have been impacted by these terrible tragedies in your thoughts and prayers and take the lessons mentioned here to heart and let it IMPACT your life for the better!
And, as always...
"Make it an AWESOME day! (Who else is going to do it for you?)"
Mike
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