I want to write about this Hurricane Katrina situation in more
detail later on. But right now, like most of you, I am just
watching in dazed fascination as this scenario unfolds. I feel
so sad and concerned for all those poor ordinary innocent
people suffering in the watery depths of a dead city tonight;
trying to avoid armed looters; trying to find food and water
where there isn't any; trying to keep their spirits up; trying to
find guidance where there is none to be given.
Many of those who remained in the area were simply too poor too
leave. And now they face the prospect of having no homes at all.
Even the little they had has been taken away – maybe forever.
Some people stayed in their homes and drowned because they didn't
want to leave their pets behind by going to the official
shelters. I know how they felt. I have a cat, Hermes, whom I
adore just as much. I could not leave him any more than they
could.
Above all at this time, these people and this situation need our
continued prayers. Giving money is fine and the time for that
will surely come soon. And it must be done.
But right now, even if you do, those people aren't going to see
the benefit of it for weeks to come. This is not like the
Tsunami, where donations brought fairly immediate help. There was
dry land there to put things and set up camp. There was no
breakdown of law and order either.
In New Orleans, for example, there is hardly dry ground anywhere
to put any charity supplies, even assuming you can get them
there. There isn't going to be a lightbulb active in that city
for probably a month or two.
First, law and order needs to be restored, and the authorities
need to tackle the matter with more wisdom than they seem to be
displaying. Prayers are needed right now more than money. Once
the situation stabilizes, use your WISDOM to decide to whom to
contribute your donation. All too often in recent years – tsunami
disaster included – the funds don't go where you hoped they
would. So be wise in choosing whom you choose to give your
contribution. The big name charities – even those being mentioned
right now on TV – are NOT always the right choice.
So pray for these poor and desperate people. Let our own hearts
open in empathy to them, no matter where we are in the world, or
what our personal background. In that way we at least make
ourselves better people, by opening ourselves up to being
increasingly compassionate and kind to those in need. Pray for
wisdom for the authorities, because they certainly need it at
this time.
And by prayer, I don't mean some denominational affair. Just say
your prayers to whomever or whatever you believe in. It is the
healing energy you put out through your prayers that helps heal
the psychic wound that gave rise to this situation in the first
place, and may begin to put the factors into place to bring
physical healing to this terrible world trauma that bears the
name Hurricane Katrina.
In my articles, I'm always stressing the vital role that your
mind has upon whatever you experience in your life, for good or
ill. The phrase I often use is "What you focus upon expands".
Happily, I've just come across an excellent book that helps you
take charge in this vital area. It truly is like a seminar on
this vital subject. It's titled, simply enough, "Right And Wrong
Thinking". You can take a look for yourself right here:
It really is true. THINKING makes the difference between
happiness and sadness, failure and success. Yet, most people are
unaware of the power that lies between their own two ears.
Certainly, they may give it mental assent. Maybe they've heard
this kind of thing before, generally agree with it, and hence
cannot very well deny it.
Ah, but to put it into daily PRACTICE – to believe it in a way
that impacts your life… THAT is something altogether different.
I personally believe that sorting out what goes out in our own
heads is THE priority and challenge we face in our lives.
Anything that can take us forward in that task is really a must.
That's why I recommend you take a look at this excellent new
resource. It could just make the cutting edge difference in your
life.
Regards,
Asoka Selvarajah
Filed under News, Personal Growth by 
Whilst it is heartening to see that the people of New Orleans
have been finally helped, it is saddening to see how their pets
have been abandoned to death by starvation and disease.
In many (if not most) cases, people have been forced to leave
their pets because the latter were not included by the authorities in the evacuation procedures. Whilst this may sound pragmatic and practical, given the limited resources available, it has nevertheless created terrible dilemmas for people who regard their animals like their own children. A large number of people simply refused to leave on pain of death. I think I would feel that way too.
Anyway, there is a great tragedy unfolding here in the form of
large numbers of cats, dogs and other abandoned animals (even horses!) literally starving slowly to death, due to being abandoned.
Time is short. But this sad situation is coming more into the
public light. And a petition is underway to persuade those in
power to do something about these poor suffering creatures.
You can help. Please head over, right now, to:
Hurricane Katrina: The Animals Petition
and add your voice and weight to this outcry for compassion and
kindness. If you care about animals – living beings in general -
I know you will do so. Thank you.
As ever, I welcome your feedback and thoughts on the blog (see
below for link).
