Myanmar Turned Upside Down

Myanmar, formally known as Burma, has been in the news lately for a number of reasons. The latest being the victim of a Tropical Cyclone Nargis which blew winds up to 120mph on Saturday morning (3rd May, 2008).

As we were snug in our beds, the people of Yangon, the largest city in Myanmar, were fighting for their lives and the city had lost all electricity. Food prices and water have more then doubled in price. There is wide spread destruction as thousands of homeless are put up in the various monasteries. This is said to be the second worst devastating natural disaster in Southeast Asia after the 2004 tsunami.

What have we to complain about? We still have a roof over our heads, our jobs and our lives, our families are safe, our life savings are intact. Imagine if you are a victim in Myanmar today.

Do we realize how blessed we are to be spared of this tragedy?

We continue our daily lives with no thought of the victims in Myanmar (after all they are so far away!), we blissfully prepare for our Mother’s Day celebrations as the people in another part of the world have lost their mothers, there is no thought of celebrations for these people.

We have a lot to be thankful for.

Even though we physically cannot be there for them, we CAN take the time to remember their losses and the turmoil they are going through, and appreciate all that we have.

Appreciate the people around us. Give thanks for the blessings that we take for granted. Be more gracious in our manner to others.

You never know what tomorrow brings. Live each day, love each one to the fullest today, before it is too late.