Think about what your life would be like if everything modern went away. If a disaster occurred suddenly you were without electricity, plumbing, gas for your car and access to grocery stores, could you survive? That is a very hard thing to think of but it is what many people have experienced after a natural disaster several times in modern history. It is not a matter of if this will happen to you, it seems as if it is a matter of when. This is an even tougher question when you factor in children and family and how you would protect and provide for their survival. When we hear of events like the Earthquake in Japan, the Tsunami in Indonesia or the earthquake in Haiti, they force us to see what is real and important. It forces us to see the disparity between comfort and survival. It can also bring up feelings of powerlessness and worry thinking about what could happen and feeling powerless to do anything about it or to help those suffering on the other side of the world.
Worry is not a verb, nothing good is ever created out of it unless it becomes the catalyst for preparedness. Worry is an anticipation of harm or loss. It is anticipating something that has not happened and is based on assumptions or perceptions that we make up whether or not they are true. Excessive worry can physically make us sick but there are questions you can ask yourself and strategies you can adopt to ease the worry that comes before, during and after a trauma. The first is to ask is what are you most worried about? Then ask yourself is how likely is what I’m worrying about going to happen? What can you change about you change about your current situation to prevent or reduce the harm of loss you are anticipating? What strategies can you use to deal with it if it happens?
When you are dealing with feelings that are geared more toward hopelessness and powerlessness, it can be a call to action. Putting that energy and funneling it into a project that has a direct impact on those effected can help alleviate those feelings. Of course one option is to donate money to a trustworthy and proven charity. Locally here in Indianapolis there are several organizations that are helping with relief efforts in Japan. It doesn’t matter how much you help just that you do something. The American Red Cross of Greater Indianapolis is always a good place to start. City of Indianapolis Office of International and Cultural Affairs in partnership with the Japan-America Society of Indiana (JASI) accepts donations to the organization's statewide Japan Earthquake Relief Fund. Another good resource to double checking a charity before donating is Charity Navigator.
It can be hard to watch the news and view the devastation, however times like these are a perfect opportunity to reflect on what is truly important in you life and a time to take a hard look on how prepared you are to deal with a disaster when it comes your way.
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