I was prepared to write a completely different post this morning when my husband walked in and said “Japan had an 8.9 earthquake and it caused tsunamis that are heading this way.”
Immediately my thoughts jumped to my friends in Japan, the ones I’ve actually met and the ones I have met in this virtual world. I jumped out of bed to e-mail people I might be able to reach and search for amblerangel’s e-mail, and found her post instead. I hope her kids made it home safely and all is still well with her.
I read the post out loud to my husband and started sobbing. Why? I think it is the feeling of not being able to help. When I lived in Japan, the big Northridge earthquake hit California, where my sister was living at the time. I remember the panic I felt when I could not reach her for hours to find out if she was okay. I remember the sadness when I learned that one of my childhood friends was killed in that earthquake.
Now I worry for my friends in Japan, and Australia, and New Zealand. Now my husband and I are on tsunami watch in Hawaii, where his family still lives and we both went to school (I got my MFA at UHM). We will be keeping track all day until we know they are safe.
It is frustrating to know that there is very little I can do but pray and send loving thoughts out into the world. I wish that was enough, but I know it is not.
Mar 11, 2011 @ 07:41:06
Now Husband Dan and I are glued to to TV right now. Stay strong.
Mar 11, 2011 @ 07:52:05
I am. Waiting stinks. It looks like it could be bad, because the whole reef by Diamond Head is not underwater right now.
Mar 11, 2011 @ 07:42:31
I hope your family and friends are safe too. Sending best wishes.
Mar 11, 2011 @ 07:55:45
Thank you. Send them for everyone we don’t know as well.
Mar 11, 2011 @ 08:17:29
I get goosebumps just reading about it. I just hope eveyone will be okay.
Mar 11, 2011 @ 08:19:20
It is out of our control: these natural disasters, terrorist attacks and let us not forget the wars. May you be able to find serenity amid the chaos and your family and friends find safety.
Mar 11, 2011 @ 08:30:42
I’m with you.
Mar 11, 2011 @ 10:10:24
Prayers, prayers, prayers! I thought of Nathan’s family this morning as I heard the terrible news!
Mar 11, 2011 @ 10:51:00
<3
Mar 11, 2011 @ 10:46:03
Positive thinking is all we can do. Thinking about Nathan’s family today!
Mar 11, 2011 @ 10:50:51
Thanks. I think everyone is okay.
Mar 11, 2011 @ 11:22:08
I’m speechless.
virtural hug to all those worried.
Mar 11, 2011 @ 18:11:58
We’re truly all in this together Lisa.
Mar 11, 2011 @ 18:40:11
So very true.
Mar 11, 2011 @ 19:21:04
Peace to you and all affected by the tsunami and earthquake.
Mar 12, 2011 @ 04:07:55
Hi Lisa,
I am sure all of us out there spread across the globe are there in thoughts with the ones affected in Japan. Something that a dear dear friend sent across to me I am posting here.
Some days back I shared a video on my facebook titled, “The revolution begins” – it showed how the earth’s geo statistics got altered drastically when nothing physical was actually happening. The video went on to say that the maximum disturbance that was seen from satellite imaging was during September 2001 when the entire world watched in horror the terror attack.
The video was making a case that our collective thoughts altered the geophysical pattern and went on to focus on loving thoughts, asking the viewer to choose love over fear.
Even though we need to see the TV news to know what is happening, let us not get influenced by subconscious fears fanned by the frenzied TRP pitches.
During Natural calamities like this Japanese earthquake, most of us sit glued to the television, sympathising with the victims but also at the same time, retaining the fear – the BEST THING THAT WE CAN DO at these times is to CALMLY send waves/vibrations of PEACE and LOVE sitting quietly for sometime. WHEN WE DO IT INDIVIDUALLY, EVEN FOR A FEW MINUTES, IT WILL BECOME A COLLECTIVE EFFORT EVENTUALLY – and ultimately affect the world in a more POSITIVE WAY.
If you can, please forward to your friends so that we reach out to Mother Earth…..
After all, Planet Earth is the ONLY place we have……for all known life forms….so far…..
Mar 12, 2011 @ 07:40:25
That’s an interesting perspective. I think a lot of love was sent, even amidst the fear.
Mar 12, 2011 @ 18:25:50
I, too, once lived in Japan( when I was a child). I, too, feel like crying, thinking about all of those wonderful, gentle people in turmoil. It’s making me reminisce on life there which makes me even more emotional knowing what is happening there. I was thinking of you when it occurred.