Monday, March 28, 2011

10 things to learn from Japan post the Tsunami.

10 things to learn from Japan post the Tsunami.

1. THE CALM

Not a single visual of chest-beating or wild grief. Sorrow itself has been elevated.

2. THE DIGNITY

Disciplined queues for water and groceries. Not a rough word or a crude gesture.

3. THE ABILITY

The incredible architects, for instance. Buildings swayed but didn't fall.

4. THE GRACE

People bought only what they needed for the present, so everybody could get something.

5. THE ORDER

No looting in shops. No honking and no overtaking on the roads. Just understanding.

6. THE SACRIFICE

Fifty workers stayed back to pump sea water in the N-reactors. How will they ever be repaid?

7. THE TENDERNESS

Restaurants cut prices. An unguarded ATM is left alone. The strong cared for the weak.

8. THE TRAINING

The old and the children, everyone knew exactly what to do. And they did just that.

9. THE MEDIA

They showed magnificent restraint in the bulletins. No silly reporters. Only calm reportage.

10. THE CONSCIENCE

When the power went off in a store, people put things back on the shelves and left quietly.

Amazing, but true and that's what makes Japan the nation which it is today. It's a matter of time before they rebuild and are back to normal. The losses have been huge but the way they have conducted themselves is indeed amazing. To me that's Character! We have always heard to people with character but rarely have we seen an entire nation displaying it as one team. When things are going right every single action looks good but when the chips are down to display the fighting spirit with dignity is true character and that's where most fail.

When I was watching television every single day after the incident, I was amazed at the way they were going about things and when I compare it to the chaos we create for every small thing its frightening to even imagine something like this ever happening in our part of the world and the outcome of it is scary and unimaginable.

There is a learning for all of us in our daily lives inside and outside office. The way we conduct ourselves in times of pressure or not so comfortable a situation would decide our true character. I sincerely wish that god gives us the strength that when we are faced with such a situation ever in life we face it the way the Japanese did ...our head held high and our character becomes our greatest strength.

No comments: