The tsunami event and the aftermath...
Perhaps the most difficult day of my life was September 11, 2001. So many died instantaneously, at the precise moment when I was viewing a “crash”. That event was so overpowering, it stayed with me for a long time and as I witnessed the many replays on the TV, there was induced an overload, a form of burn-out.
For some, today, there is a burn-out from the tsunami event of December 26, 2004. Although we realize that so many died that day and more the days following and more will die as a result of injuries, and many will go on suffering mental anguish, upset, confusion and grief. Such a traumatic experience for so many! It will be a day that those who lived through the experience bodily, on location or from viewing TV replays, will never forget.
Now, for many, it was a time of sharp focusing on death, the death experience, perhaps for the first time. For others, it was a time for a refection of what death really means to them. It was a time to think of one’s mortality. To some death in an incomprehensible event that occurs to all. It is that time when life stops. It is a time when the “spirit” takes over and “life” continues in another “state”, in another condition. For some, there is a belief of going on to a “better life”, sometimes described as heaven where suffering does not exist. For some it is a haven and a reward for living a good life on earth. For a small number, death is a simple passing, from birth, through life and its cessation, death. For some, death is a welcomed event; for others a frightening prospect.
Now for the living, death means a separation from the departed; it is a loss. At the same time, depending on the belief system held by the individual, death can be a simple acceptance of a fact, to an intensive and frequently an experience of traumatic proportions with sustaining and deeply felt grief. For many, religious aspects play a large role in acceptance of the event. Nevertheless, in general, death is an event that is “hard to take”, an event that brings forth tears and heart wrenching emotional reactions. At times there is a consolation that death may have come quickly with little pain involved. At other times there is an acceptance because in has meant the cessation of pain that was being experienced by the person who died.
In thinking about death, it is hoped that those who in living their everyday lives will take the opportunity to relate to their families and friends with a different view. A view that death will happen to them and others and that in their day to day relationships, a solid base of warmth, understanding and support should be given; a time to cherish the truly wonderful relationships that are there, a time for thanksgiving, a time of pleasure and enjoyment of life, for if not now, an opportunity will be lost in death. Show your love and caring, your forgiveness for whatever negative historical experiences might have been experienced, a time for reconciliation so that future unhappiness will not be experienced because of some omission in the here and now.
The tsunami experience is one that could bring forth some good to the living, an improvement in relationships. We have witnessed the outpouring of deeply felt emotions of many, of the help that has been offered and put forward by many, of the financial and other donation that have been made. It has been the coming together of human beings with open hearts for others of differing cultures, languages, religions, and politics; it is and has been a time of love, to say the least, and a sharing of the meaning of being human. Would it not be wonderful if this could lead to world peace?
For some, today, there is a burn-out from the tsunami event of December 26, 2004. Although we realize that so many died that day and more the days following and more will die as a result of injuries, and many will go on suffering mental anguish, upset, confusion and grief. Such a traumatic experience for so many! It will be a day that those who lived through the experience bodily, on location or from viewing TV replays, will never forget.
Now, for many, it was a time of sharp focusing on death, the death experience, perhaps for the first time. For others, it was a time for a refection of what death really means to them. It was a time to think of one’s mortality. To some death in an incomprehensible event that occurs to all. It is that time when life stops. It is a time when the “spirit” takes over and “life” continues in another “state”, in another condition. For some, there is a belief of going on to a “better life”, sometimes described as heaven where suffering does not exist. For some it is a haven and a reward for living a good life on earth. For a small number, death is a simple passing, from birth, through life and its cessation, death. For some, death is a welcomed event; for others a frightening prospect.
Now for the living, death means a separation from the departed; it is a loss. At the same time, depending on the belief system held by the individual, death can be a simple acceptance of a fact, to an intensive and frequently an experience of traumatic proportions with sustaining and deeply felt grief. For many, religious aspects play a large role in acceptance of the event. Nevertheless, in general, death is an event that is “hard to take”, an event that brings forth tears and heart wrenching emotional reactions. At times there is a consolation that death may have come quickly with little pain involved. At other times there is an acceptance because in has meant the cessation of pain that was being experienced by the person who died.
In thinking about death, it is hoped that those who in living their everyday lives will take the opportunity to relate to their families and friends with a different view. A view that death will happen to them and others and that in their day to day relationships, a solid base of warmth, understanding and support should be given; a time to cherish the truly wonderful relationships that are there, a time for thanksgiving, a time of pleasure and enjoyment of life, for if not now, an opportunity will be lost in death. Show your love and caring, your forgiveness for whatever negative historical experiences might have been experienced, a time for reconciliation so that future unhappiness will not be experienced because of some omission in the here and now.
The tsunami experience is one that could bring forth some good to the living, an improvement in relationships. We have witnessed the outpouring of deeply felt emotions of many, of the help that has been offered and put forward by many, of the financial and other donation that have been made. It has been the coming together of human beings with open hearts for others of differing cultures, languages, religions, and politics; it is and has been a time of love, to say the least, and a sharing of the meaning of being human. Would it not be wonderful if this could lead to world peace?
posted by croweagle at
9:55 PM
2 Comments:
Relating to your last paragraph, i have to agree that it would be nice if this brought together the unification of mankind. Usually when so many people are killed in incidents that aren't natural disasters such as terrorist acts, i always wonder what the world is coming to, but seeing the global effort to help the tsunami victims, its heartwarming in a sense because you see the real compassion that people are capable of. Of course the whole threat of sick people taking advantage of the situation and bringing women and children into the sex trade kind of ruins that image.
By
shirin, at 2:26 AM
It is unfortunate that some human beings always take advantage of others and when this extends to our children, we are disgusted. The behavior of these criminals should be punished in the extreme. An editorial and article appear at http://ottawacanadaworldnews.croweagle.com The writer of the article is lou reeves who can be reached at: loureeves@yahoo.com
By
croweagle, at 9:39 PM
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