There is a tomorrow after a disaster, and it’s sometimes hard to remember that in the midst of it.
Sheri Fink
It’s difficult to watch news footage of the current conditions in Puerto Rico without experiencing some emotion. I feel great empathy for the residents there and wonder how some are able to cope. Before Hurricane Maria, everything was routine and people were going about their lives as usual. Then their world was turned upside down, with widespread damage, no power, and limited supplies — and no idea when to expect repairs or aid. Some lost their lives. Many more lost all their possessions. It’s a tragedy, with conditions that may get worse before they get better.
For those of us who lived through Hurricane Katrina and suffered major losses, the recent devastation wreaked by hurricanes in Houston, Florida, and Puerto Rico brings back painful memories. I feel connected to those people and I understand some of the pain they’re going through.
In some respects, coping can be easier when many people suffer the same fate; survivors don’t feel isolated and alone. But the Puerto Ricans in particular have a long and challenging recovery process ahead of them. And it’s very difficult to handle such dramatic and sudden change.
I hope you’re never faced with a major disaster. But if you live long enough, you’ll almost certainly experience some significant problem on an individual level. And I think there are a few lessons we can learn from recent events.
First, life is unpredictable. Live it fully each and every day. Focus on the important things and learn to let go of the petty things.
Next, remember that there will always be things in life that you can’t change, and some of them are pretty awful. You must learn to accept reality. Running “what if” or “if only” scenarios in your mind will just lead to more torment.
Also, don’t get too attached to physical objects, because material things can and will be lost or destroyed. Your possessions should not define who you are.
Finally, when faced with a major loss, remember to focus on what you have, not what you don’t. Focusing on what we don’t have will always bring emotional pain. Focusing on the things we do have brings a sense of gratitude.
For most people, it’s not a question of if they will face major disappointments in life, it’s a question of when. Learn these lessons so that when you do face a major disaster, you’ll be better able to cope.
By accepting life’s limits and inevitabilities and working with them rather than fighting them, we become free.
Epictetus
55 – 135 A.D.
Copyright © 2017 John Chancellor