Adversity and Its Gifts: The Power of Water
Posted by admin on October 2, 2009
There is something about adversity caused by natural disasters that penetrates to the very heart of human vulnerability.
Over the years I have been profoundly impacted by the power of water, including my own tears that can choke me up. It started when I nearly drowned at the tender age of six. Then, in mid-life, I confronted my fears and learned to swim. In the past decade, we were so affected by the tsunami in Thailand and the far-reaching effects of Katrina here in the United States.
Paradoxically, at the same time, my favorites relaxation images are always centered around water – peace descends for me as I enter into the grace of a waterfall, a bubbling brook deep in my being or listening to the lapping of waves by a sandy beach. I daily experience gratitude for water as the ultimate nourishment, cleansing and purifying agent of nature.
Bringing the power of water to my awareness, this past weekend, the island of Luzon in the Philippines was shattered by the typhoon, Ketsana, where 90% of the land was totally submerged in water. The Philippines is our original home.
Greater Manila, with a population of 20 million, is having its worst flood in decades. What started as normal rains during the rainy season, immediately became disastrous. The Marikina River swelled and washed away many homes leaving around 500,000 homeless, with the greatest impact on the poor and destitute.
Even though many communication lines were down, we found ways to connect with our family in the Philippines. You can imagine our relief to know
that all our family members were safe. However, the impact of the tragedies and devastation felt so overwhelming to me as I learned that many have lost everything.
My radiant daughter was at a loss for words as she told us about the tragedy and her interwoven feelings of compassion and pain. My courageous daughter and son-in-law did everything they could in their power to provide shelter, food, clothing and health needs for the employees of their family business who lost their homes. My mother provided shelter for both her staff of her inn, as well as, for all national and international guests who were stranded in Malate Pernsionne. My remarkable mother expressed great gratitude that she could do this for her “World family, sisters and brothers.”
We continue to learn of many heroic actions, where ordinary people have harnessed extraordinary generosity to care for their community. They are truly living the greatest gift that humans can offer to another – to be truly connected, for when one is affected, all are affected and we are all one.
The spirit of the human community emerged here in the United States and throughout the world. We have being hearing amazing stories of:
- People staying present and in the moment, such as a group linking hands to walk together through the raging waters.
- Those capable, helped mothers with babies and cared for the elderly.
- People were brought up to rooftops, until rescuers came.
- Employees were given safe shelter in their work environments, and employers were providing food and donations of clothing to those that they employ and their loved ones.
- Survival happened because everyone joined together, and reached out to help each other.
- Churches were overflowing on Sunday, both with people looking for shelter, but also those who were there to pray for others.
- Some were able to manage their fears by turning the rains into a children’s playground, an opportunity for a much needed bath, to wash clothes, to gather drinking water, to improvise lifesaving devises from whatever could float, take pictures on cell phones and cameras, to share with family and friends their postings on Facebook and Twitter.
- Family and friends from around the globe reached out and expressed their love and concern by connecting, listening, being present, extending prayers, sending love and contributing funds.
- Others tapped their energies to asked the waters to quell, pondering the meaning of the power of water on the highest levels.
- For others, outpouring, reaching out, sharing love and their innermost feelings of appreciation, fear, and grief.
As the floodwaters have subsided, the mud is clearing and rebuilding begins, we take a moment to remember all those that we cherish and appreciate in overcoming adversity together, reconnecting us to our vulnerability and our oneness.
With Love and Gratitude, Lalei and Phil
To enjoy more writings by Lalei and Phil access the FREE ebook, Overcoming Adversity with Grace at http://www.overcomersbook.com/grace
Lalei and Phil-
Thank you so very much for sharing this incredible post. When we reach out in love, miracles can happen. You demonstrated that beautifully here.
Thank you so much for sharing this Lalei and Phil – it brings the world to us in a much more personal way – a way that we can’t ignore, as so many would prefer to do. Gratitude is not a strong enough word to express how someone must feel when a person reaches out to them at a moment of critical need such as this. The more people who awaken to the fact that we are all one on this planet, the faster we can overcome the fear and division that holds us back. By holding out that helping hand and stepping up to the plate, you demonstrate personal caring and compassion that can inspire others. The mindset of them vs us can’t continue indefinitely… what is the ultimate consequence of that? Be the change you seek – hold out your hand to another.
Lalei and Phil thank you for sharing your story of the waters in the Phillipines. The sacred waters that may have been damaging to your country might have come to provide a cleansing and a renewal to the people of your country, albeit the immediate impact has been very difficult in the immediate disaster and loss of homes and resources. Perhaps the is an opportunity for change and renewal, much like the Phoenix bird dies to itself and then is reborn from its own ashes. I pray for the Phillipines and for your family. In every tragedy or every crisis there is an opportunity for recreation and rebirth. That is what I wish for your country and its people.
The learning and the lesson may not realized until there is a significant rebuilding. But I am sure there will be many stories of miracles as there have already been in overcoming adversity and triumphing from it.
Add A Comment