tsunami relief and hope

I think sometimes when you hear about all the stuff happening in Asia regarding the Tsunami, one can not help but wonder -- Why did this happen? Why all the suffering? What hope do these people have? What does that have to do with me?

It causes me to reflect. It causes all of us around the world to reflect, to be grateful for life, and to be grateful that collectively in the goodness of humanity that good things can come out of tragic events. Not only in the goodness, but also in the humbleness, the meekness, the little things, the small amounts of money, the prayers for the victms, in knowing and hoping that our efforts can multiply.One front page article on Asianweek this week was titled, "Mother's nature worst, and human nature's best". Is that really human nature's best?

I wonder sometimes if human nature is really about that. I don't think it is necessarily human nature to help another person in need. There are needs all around the world. There are needs in our communities, and needs in our friendships, in our families, and needs that we have for ourselves. What is to be said about meeting the needs of others before ourselves? It is not always natural to give of ourselves. I really don't think that can be true. It is easy for me to think of my own self interest befor any one else's, and I think in the society we live in , with the inundation of consummerism and immediate gratification, technological advances that it is sometimes easy to forget that we live in a world. That I, one person, can make a difference in the world -- even if it is just one person.

I know I am babbling at this point, so I better stop. I'll continue later when I get some more inspiration.