It is the worst of times that brings out the best in people.

During the good times, it's easy to forget. It's easy to overlook flaws; and it's easy to look really good. Yet, the good times are when we build the character that we show during the worst of times.

Natural disasters happen. We may not understand the reason for them, but they do. They don't matter nearly as much as what we do about them.

Do we use them to question God or the Universe (or whatever higher power you might believe in)?
There is suffering in the world, does that mean they're cannot be something compassionate out there? Some will lose their faith.

Do we use them to think we are superior to others?
The recent comments of Pat Robertson, that the Haitians brought the earthquake on themselves because of a pact with the devil, says so much more about him than about the people who now lie buried in rubble. Others, like Rush Limbaugh, would use this disaster to attack others no matter what the outcome. Had President Obama been slow to act, he would have complained about Obama's lack of compassion; because the response was quick, he accused Obama of bring political. Clearly these people are exposing their truer nature. Some people will lose faith in them.

Do we them to show we care?
You CAN focus on all the suffering and devastation, if you wish, or you can look at all the people coming together to help one another. People rushing to their cellphones to make donations, organizations mobilizing to bring food and water to survivors, and big equipment to help create more survivors... and seeming enemies coming together, if only for a moment, to forget about their differences and concentrate on their common goal. Some people will gain faith.

Do we take the time to treasure what we have?
Disasters that happen to others can also impact us. They can remind us of how much we have, and what is most important to us. We may hug our loved ones a little tighter, or enjoy the comfort and warmth of our beds just a little bit more. Some people will gain gratitude.

We can't choose our disasters, but we can choose whether we turn them into tragedies or triumphs.

What do you choose?

Keep the light on!
GuruStu

"I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character"

~ Rev. Martin Luther King Jr