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Franecdotes for:
January 8, 1997
At the risk of being labeled an unmitigated optimist I need to say a few good things that have come out of the Flood of '97.
Disasters are a learning experience and learning is good. One thing that a disaster, such as our flood, makes very apparent is that there are way more good people in the world than there are unsavory ones. The news media focuses almost entirely on the morally offensive population... giving them front pages, headline news, top story status in order to sensationalize and attract attention to their publication, radio or television news programs. The greater majority of good people never get much of a mention because their lives are considered ordinary and uninteresting.
But give us a disaster and these people pop up and help their fellow man... not wanting to gain "little hero" status or be celebrated with tickertape parades or monuments in the park. They just do what they do everyday... go about life looking after themselves, their families, their jobs, their homes and being considerate of the rights of others. When need arises their everyday kindness is extended to help those in need of help. It happens all the time in the lives of the great majority of population... the good people.
Therefore lesson number one: Most people are good people.
Disasters often put us at the mercy of circumstances. Shelters are established. Alternatives to life in a shelter are moving in with friends and relatives for brief periods of time, or traveling to safe areas and staying in campgrounds or motels. Devising ways to cope are necessary because even in the best, friendliest situations there are inconveniences to be contended with. Change is very stressful for many people.
Lesson number two: Survival.
When a 'throw and go' disaster hits we are all faced with incredible decisions. Just what is it that we really want/need to take along. Space and time are limited and choices must be made. People attach sentiment to strange things. Will they contribute to survival? What would be more useful in their place?
Lesson number three: Discovering what you can do without.
And when evacuation ends and and you return to your possessions it's time to re-evaluate and seriously consider your surroundings. Everyone hangs on to stuff way longer than it is useful to them. Maybe someone else could use it... maybe you could sell it... maybe it's simply taking up too much space in your life.
Lesson number four: Simplify your life.
Our flood has happened to all of us at the very beginning of the New Year... a time when we all usually reorganize and resolve our plans for the next 12 months. Some definitely have way more problems than others, but it is a new starting point for everyone.
And when a year starts like this one has... it can only get better!
Best Wishes to you for 1997.