In the realm of the functioning of the universe, man has no direct control. On natural disasters, when the universe choose to renew itself, we actually have no say at all. On the other hand, man has the ability to create what is good for him – and what can actually destroy him. No scenario exposes this vulnerability and the sheer helplessness of man as to when the natural and the artificial embrace in a deadly love-hate match made from the depths of the earth. The earth is a mysterious planet. From above its firmament come light and energy – all of its light and energy from the sun. Again, there is no guarantee that this energy and light would always be beneficial. It can -- dependent upon other circumstances that one may not be able to fully explain and the sparsely known cosmological cycles -- turn against the earth and its components in inexplicably savage rage.
It is instructive that the word "tsunami" is Japanese, indicating that they have ancient memory of this kind of catastrophe. We learned the word, but the most important thing we can learn from the Japanese is their incredible grace under any kind of adversity. They have maintained their good manners, kindness and consideration of each other in the grips of this adversity. There are no reports of looting or violence. One thing is for certain: nature will dish it out to us, in the form of disease and more dramatic forms of pain such as this disaster. We ultimately have limited control against the onslaughts of nature and fate, but we can control how we react. It looks like Japanese culture insists on maintaining human dignity in the face of anything thrown at the human being. I would like to be like that when my turn for suffering arrives.
Posted by: Facter | Wednesday, 16 March 2011 at 06:20 PM
So true Facter. I too have been amazed at the level of calmness displayed by the Japanese under these circumstances. A truely admirable quality, but one almost wonders whether their technological advancement has left them soulless.
Posted by: limbekid | Thursday, 17 March 2011 at 04:31 PM
good day!
Posted by: oil mill | Friday, 18 March 2011 at 04:11 AM