The Midwest and Southern United States is geographically unique. Each year we are
hit with severe storms. The land is flat and expansive, allowing for devastating winds. During the spring, when cold and warm air mix, the
conditions are perfect for powerful tornadoes.
Nature proves stronger than civilization, dominating us each spring and summer. For as winter melts, one of the most formidable natural disasters wakes from its hibernation.
Lacking proper storm shelters, advance warning, and luck, people are killed in small communities across the country. Homes and businesses are demolished. Tornado season is inescapable, but I see a sort of virtue in it, in ourselves. When our neighbors lose everything, when we lose family and friends, it seems the best we have is brought to the surface.
If only for a moment, we are able to experience what I call an "ideal" society. An ideal society is not one without difficulty, not one having conquered nature or even itself, but one where difficulty and pain is willingly and unconditionally shared by those strong enough to help those who have been hurt.
Not all of us have the means to help those devastated by recent tornado activity. We may not live close enough, have the money, or the time.
There are still things each of us can do that, though they may not have an immediate impact, will eventually flower into something transcending disaster. They are not physical, but mental and emotional. They are mindsets. A change of perspective.
Nature proves stronger than civilization, dominating us each spring and summer. For as winter melts, one of the most formidable natural disasters wakes from its hibernation.
Lacking proper storm shelters, advance warning, and luck, people are killed in small communities across the country. Homes and businesses are demolished. Tornado season is inescapable, but I see a sort of virtue in it, in ourselves. When our neighbors lose everything, when we lose family and friends, it seems the best we have is brought to the surface.
If only for a moment, we are able to experience what I call an "ideal" society. An ideal society is not one without difficulty, not one having conquered nature or even itself, but one where difficulty and pain is willingly and unconditionally shared by those strong enough to help those who have been hurt.
Not all of us have the means to help those devastated by recent tornado activity. We may not live close enough, have the money, or the time.
There are still things each of us can do that, though they may not have an immediate impact, will eventually flower into something transcending disaster. They are not physical, but mental and emotional. They are mindsets. A change of perspective.
Empathize
with those who are hurt.
Appreciate those who help.
Never take life for granted.
Sending our prayers and money will help,
but what is most important is that we share, if only in our own
hearts, the burden others are facing. If we can at least do this,
we will have done much more than we realize. Thoughts are our most powerful
tools. Our minds are the wells from which actions spring
forth.
Slowly we will change the world without lifting a finger or speaking a word. Yet after we have changed our minds, it will be easier for us to help others. The Red Cross will always be full, no one will lack for prayers, neighbors will rebuild, and though we will still face natural disasters, even when we have small personal disasters we will always have someone to turn to.
Slowly we will change the world without lifting a finger or speaking a word. Yet after we have changed our minds, it will be easier for us to help others. The Red Cross will always be full, no one will lack for prayers, neighbors will rebuild, and though we will still face natural disasters, even when we have small personal disasters we will always have someone to turn to.
This is what I hope to someday see. We rise to the greatest challenges, but sometimes are apathetic to the smallest ones. Let these terrible disasters make us better able to cope with the ones we may not easily notice. Let's take care of each other when no one is watching, as we do the community that has lost families and homes, when all the world is watching our reaction.
This starts with remembering the 48 people who have died on Earth this year from tornadoes. 43 of them are right here at home. 5, no less important, far away. There will be more. We cannot prevent nature. But we can adapt and be better people despite disaster, and perhaps because of it.
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| From Wiki Commons |
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