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Earthquake in Haiti Aftershocks Felt…Here

by Ruth Ann Harnisch on 01/15/10 at 10:05 am

Day 15

I’m having flashbacks to my old TV news anchor days.

If I were still working in the newsroom, the earthquake in Haiti would have been the center of my world for as long as it was a big story.  I’m glad I’m no longer required to immerse myself in tragedy. These days,  I get the information I need, take what appropriate action I can, and then I put my focus elsewhere. 

When the earthquake hit, we donated to Wyclef Jean ’s nonprofit Yele Haiti  because we have given in the past. We were introduced to Yele by Cameron Sinclair  (founder of Architecture for Humanity , TED Prize  winner) who is involved personally with Wyclef’s work.

Also, the TED Blog recommends Partners In Health  as a trusted nonprofit partner in Haiti. 

I notice that taking positive, conscious action, then shifting of focus to other things, has kept me from feeling the deep sadness I used to experience when I was a reporter whose life revolved around the details of devastation. Not that I’m not feeling sadness and sympathy, but I’m able to experience my own life without being overwhelmed by grief.

Still, there’s nothing like a disaster of epic proportion to put one’s own circumstances in perspective.

It reminds me that any moment could bring a literal or figurative earthquake.  I am mindful of the suffering of others. And most of all,  I am mindful of the magnitude of my gratitude in this moment.