Raising The Standard

With all that tragedy that has hit Japan in recent weeks with the earthquake and tsunami, it's hard not to question the reasons for such an occurrence. Why would God allow such terrible things to happen to good people? For me, the answer lies not so much in what has been done to the Japanese people but in what the Japanese people have done for the rest of the world. Japan has set the standard in how we should all cope with the changing world. Japan has raised the bar.

I look at news reports and see the calmness--the accepting nature--of the Japanese people. They wait in long lines for food and gasoline, and they don't argue about the rations they are given. They accept the rolling blackouts with patience. Americans remark on the fact that there is no looting going on (which really is a sad commentary on the mentality of American people). I have been so impressed with Japan's grace under pressure and of the example they are setting for the whole world!

I believe we choose our roles in life. I believe the Japanese people volunteered to play this role for the rest of us. The earthquake and tsunami were not about punishment. They were a device used to show the world what could be accomplished through acceptance and cooperation. In the face of all the change taking place in the world today, the Japanese have set the example we should live by. A new standard has been raised. I just hope the rest of us can follow suit when our trials come. At least we know what can be accomplished in the chaos. Thank you, my Japanese friends! We are in your debt.