Now I know what devastation REALLY is.

This could have (and probably would have) been my usual post, whining about life and about how hard my road has been, etc., etc., ad nauseum.  But it's funny how only 12 hours can change someone's perspective on the world around them. 

 

I'm sure that everyone has heard by now about the earthquake and tsunami over in Japan.  I'd say that an event on this scale makes any complaint that I have right now seem rather trivial.  Some of the pictures and video that I've watched today are... well, mind-numbing.  I'm reminded of how I felt when Hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans - helpless because Nature isn't under our control, it'll do what it wants... sad, because of the massive loss of life (both known and as yet undiscovered)... and, yes, puzzled because the people around me don't seem to have any interest in what is easily a huge, heartbreaking, major life event. 

 

I had turned on BBC News at work to watch some of the coverage; since Friday is a slow day and there's not really much to do, it was a way to catch up on the latest.  One of my coworkers in the window next to mine asked me what I was watching, and I just said "the news", nothing more and nothing less.  The response?  "Oh."  And then started talking with other coworkers about how "hot" the latest song was, whether or not this purse would look good with those jeans, etc. 

 

To put it mildly, I was stunned.  I understand that we live half a world away from Japan.  I understand that we don't necessarily have a lot in common with their culture, their lifestyle, etc.  I even understand why people might not necessarily want to hear the details of this non-stop, over and over.  But not to even spare a THOUGHT for over a thousand people, maybe more, who lost their lives today?  Of the thousands more whose lives have been permanently affected by this?  The destruction, the cost in both money and property, in human souls?  None of this means anything?  I can even hear them in my head now, saying, "So whut, it duzent uh-fect me." 

 

Let's hear that when they release the radiation from the broken nuclear reactor over there.  Then we'll see how much it doesn't affect us, what do you say?

 

I've come to two realizations since this event happened, though:

1.  The world is a cold, callous, cruel place.  (Which I already knew, but it's been driven home to me even more clearly with this event.)

2.  I have a hell of a lot more compassion for my fellow man than I thought I did.  And it's not been beaten or smacked out of me.  This is a good thing, a VERY good thing.

 

No doubt that the events unfolding will prove to be horrific on a large-scale basis as time goes on.  I can only do what I'm able to - donate a little money, keep people in my thoughts, hope that things will improve.  I have faith that the people of Japan will persevere; this isn't Haiti, after all, or some un(der)developed Third World nation we're talking about here, but a country that is verging on becoming a superpower.  They will be fine, I'm sure of it. 

 

At least I have more on my mind than "skinny jeans" or the Kardashians.  (eyeroll)

 

Not much is really going on with me, personally - everything remains the same.  I still have my job, my bills are getting paid (albeit not nearly as fast or as much as I want them to be), I'm working on myself as much as I can in all respects - physically, emotionally, etc.  While I'm not exactly happy, I'm relatively content.  That's more than can be said for a lot of people halfway around the world tonight.

 

More later.