In the face of a devastating 9.0 earthquake, life sweeping tsunamis, blazing fires, and looming radiation the Japanese people have remained uncommonly calm. Massive amounts of lives have been lost and the deep anguish of those remaining who must deal with loss and hopeful anticipation of finding someone alive is beyond human comprehension.
Haiti was a horrific mess with devastation that broke the hearts and minds of so many who had to go through such a trial and of those who went down to help. Haiti is still in ruins! Rebuilding has been slow to say the least and the people are unable to figure out how to help themselves without outside help. The government has been conspicuously absent in a large part, or hinders relief efforts in hopes of getting money in order to release much needed supplies to assist it's own people. Amazing the mind set of the uneducated dominated by selfish thugs as their leaders.
Japan, however, is a first world country as is the US. Yet in the US, like New Orleans and hurricane Katrina, people have no respect or honor in taking care of each other with calm resolve. Thugs move in and take advantage, pillage, and steal all they can get. Killing anyone who gets in their way they create more chaos in an already dire situation. Patience of those that must go to shelters is little and they are quick to blame the government for not responding as quick as they feel things should take place. In a society of immediate gratification and "I want it now!" no wonder we behave this way.
The difference as I see it is values taught from generation to generation. Respect and honor. Because of these qualities the Japanese people are able to share their meager rice and water with others in the same situation. They are patiently waiting for fuel, water, food, and help to come. They are not stealing, killing, or beating others down. They may not agree with how slow things are happening, but then they have never faced such devastation and I am sure they understand that it takes some doing to get organized and start the relief efforts. The government is working to open their doors to outside help. Three aircraft carriers are just off shore waiting for the go ahead. Help is there and ready! So, they patiently wait.
Reporters have been amazed at the level of calm in these people. They don't seem to understand it. If people are taught from the beginning to be honorable and respectful to each other look at how it really relates to humanity in the face of utter destruction. I believe they are living the scriptures. "Honor your father and mother that your days may be long on the land the Lord has given you." Ex. 20:12, Deut. 5:16.
Because of their calm resolve they work under difficult conditions to search for survivors. Amazing stories are beginning to surface of people that were trapped for days being found alive by their friends. This is true heroism. These are stories of hope in the midst of devastation and despair.
Imagine how it would be around the world if all of us would embody these two things. It is what Jesus was saying that the commandments taught, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself." Luke 10:27.
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