It’s often said that “Life isn’t always sunshine and butterflies. Sometimes you got to learn to smile through the pains.” The recent Kerala/Coorg floods have turned the world upside down to many, leaving many homeless and of course unfortunately many died. It’s sad to even comprehend the nature of huge calamity and what each of them lost which is simply unimaginable. Disasters happen, and we can’t do anything to prevent them, or can we? Mother Nature can’t be tamed, she has mind of her own and we are at her mercy. Perhaps that sounds insensitive, but that is the fact of life.
Generally, the triggering of feelings of empathy can cause people to work together and develop common goals and this is exactly what happened in this flood torn area. I watched a video where a small town Suntikoppa in Coorg was not affected by the floods so the residents realised that their buildings were safe and they had abundant of provisions. They instantly decided to turn the town into a big relief camp. They rescued those who were affected and as the numbers were big they decided to turn three biggest buildings in their town into rescue camp – a Church, (which we had been to when we visited Coorg recently) a Shiva temple and a Madrasa. They erased religious difference overnight and turned a Church, Temple and a Madrasa into relief camps – this is a historic moment showcasing their harmony and tolerance.
We tend to have petty fights over religion which at these moments proved the incredible capacity of the human spirit to overcome adversity. The author of this video further says “Floods have ravaged Kodagu but not the Spirit of these people” God’s word tells us that “you don’t know what will happen tomorrow. What is life, then? You are a mist that is seen for a moment and then disappears.”
How very true, isn’t? Our lives are fragile and are ever so brief. We are constantly vulnerable to the unpredictable and scary dangers we face every moment of our lives.
The most beautiful thing in this world is the loving power of the human spirit. When you witness it, it’s unmistakable and it inspires and brings love and joy to your life like nothing else. What’s amazing in life is that we most often see this during moments of adversity, tragedy and difficulty. It turns life’s most daunting challenges into its most amazing revelations of character, love and hope.
Tough times can bring out the greatest of love, hope, friendship and compassion towards our fellow woman and man. Finally, I wonder why it takes a tragedy or disaster to unite humanity. Does only a tragedy require showing humanity, then?
It’s beautiful to see how altruistic and compassionate people are during times of great danger and adversity. It’s these values that truly define us. They make us what we are. They give hope to all of us to look at what really matters in life, and to love with all our hearts.
