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Lessons
Typhoon Frank's onslaught may be a dim memory to some because it's almost two months since its floods caused devastation in Western Visayas and some have moved on and have rebuilt their houses and lives. But I'd like to talk about the lessons that people have learned from it. For it's not only Frank that we are going to deal with but there are more trials that will come in whatever form they may be.
I've solicited from friends what lessons they have learned from Frank. From this came a reaffirmation that humans are made of tough stuff. Amid difficulties, we never fail to see the positive side of things.
Pastor Normandy Notes of Ikthus Iloilo said that one lesson he has learned from his weeks of relief operations is that the flood has broken a lot of walls, both literally and symbolically. "I worked with a lot of people from different religious and political persuasions for one common purpose and that is to be a blessing to others in any way possible," he said.
Carol Espinosa of "Life .. by Carol V" said that one may lose everything and everyone in just a snap. "So, I've learned to live each day as if it's my last." She also learned that one can run away from the law of man but never from divine justice for no amount of modernization or technological advancement can stop mother nature when she strikes.
Mike Gorriceta, councilor of Pavia, said that all material things can vanish in a snap. "Maybe it's a reminder from above that we should go back to Him and be more spiritual. What's important is that we are still alive."
"Life is an experience of joy and pain, and that includes dealing with calamities," said Atho dela Cruz, Hilot practitioner and life coach. "Frank's onslaught paved the way for balance to set in our lives. Sometime in our lives, we have to go back to this zero point, of space, of nothingness. This is something we have to embrace so we can cope with it. We have to allow it, accept it and embrace it, like any other positive or negative experience in our life. This is part of the cycle of renewal. New things will come into our lives," he added.
When I witnessed the effect of the floods on TV and from the narration of my friends, rich and poor who were adversely affected, one thing came to my mind. The flood was an equalizer, putting the rich and the poor at the same fold where loss is concerned. From that experience, I hope people will begin to view material things in a different light. Material things are made for function and should not be the measurement of who deserves more respect and honor.
Engr. Herman Lagon of Ateneo de Iloilo has this to say: Hail humans! True to its name, it was simply Frank ... blunt, guileless and destructive. However, in the midst of the deluge, I see a celebration of "humanhood" that lingers under the canvass of death and mud. I find hundreds of stories of heroism, encouraging accounts of triumph against crisis, sincere acts of selfless service and compassion, clear-cut showmanship of will power and magnanimous display of unperturbed trust in God. I believe we must hang on to these Holy Spirit-inspired, anti-adversity human mechanisms tightly so we can face the devils within and before us with spears and shields of love, fortitude and generosity.
(Has life ever given you a big blow yet you came out victorious? Share your lessons to katvillalon@yahoo.com)