Five Spiritual Gifts from the Disaster in Japan

We have watched with horror as events have unfolded after the 9.0 earthquake and tsunami in Japan. The ongoing nuclear crisis has added more pressure to the situation. The loss of life and scope of the disaster seem almost unbearable.

The scenes are shocking and surreal.  

Many find it painful and overwhelming to watch and comprehend. Others rush to give donations and aid to Japan. Yet some people feel so much pain that they turn away unable to watch or acknowledge any more.

It is natural to feel anxiety, shock and fear after these types of events. Find ways to detoxify the stress, relax and heal.  Look at the beauty of life we are seeing here as well; for in the midst of this unprecedented disaster have risen powerful signs of spirit that give us hope.

Some of the pictures we are seeing are heartbreaking,  and others show us the true gifts of spirit.  Here are the five gifts you can familiarize yourself:

The Gift of Caring

There are few who could watch the images of the brown and white dog standing by his stricken companion in a tsunami debris field without a tinge of tears. Wet, cold and in shock, this beautiful animal displayed the true traits of love, bravery, friendship and protection in standing by his friend after the disaster.

What better gift than this testimony? We often think that animals are spiritually different than us. Yet here we are shown that there are two things that unite all the beings on this planet. They are our spirits and ability to care.  

The Gift of Peace

One of the most constant things we have seen as this has unfolded is the calm, peaceful demeanor of the people of Japan in the midst of what must be the most terrible angst. It is amazing that there have been little if any signs of looting or crime. People line up patiently for food or to use the phone. The beautiful gift of a peaceful countenance is displayed over and over in the face of the most brutal scenes of destruction.  

The Gift of Love

Time and time again, we have seen people looking for their loved ones. They go from one shelter to another through nightmarish piles of debris and scenes that look like a battlefield. The hope and love displayed show the depth of the human heart. There are also those who, though they have lost everything—families, jobs and homes—still painstakingly help with the rescue operation. They show us that when we unite with love, we can do anything.  

The Gift of Diligence

There are up to 180 people still working inside the stricken nuclear plants. We do not know the extent to which it will affect their health. It could cost them their lives. Still, they work to save their fellow man. They show us the meaning of ultimate sacrifice and diligence.  

The Gift of Life

The most powerful gift of all was found four days after the earthquake and tsunami bundled up in a pink blanket tucked away in a pile of debris. Rescue workers found a tiny 4-month-old baby looking for all as if she had just woken up from a nap instead of one of the most horrendous disasters in our recorded history. This child shows us that life can prevail. Here is this tiny being plucked from the grasp of nature’s fury, and she survived. She is beautiful in so many ways because she is the gift of life.