Life Lessons From Hurricane Katrina
During the past couple of weeks, like many millions of other
people around the world I spent a lot of time watching the
horrific events taking place in New Orleans, Louisiana, unable
and unwilling to believe that what I was seeing was actually
taking place in the United States of America.
And though we often forget most big disasters after just a few
weeks, I think that people will be talking about the aftermath
of Hurricane Katrina for a long time to come.
Like many other people, as the disaster unfolded, I assumed that
because this was happening in the United States, the rescuing
response would be very swift and very well organized. And it
wasn't.
Whenever a big tragedy of this magnitude occurs, whether in the
United States or elsewhere in the world, many people will find
themselves re-examining how they live, and perhaps examining
some of their most basic beliefs about what is truly important
During the week that stranded evacuees waited in heat and filth,
desperate for water and food, while others drowned in their own
homes as the water levels rose, it really hit me as I thought to
myself, Tonight I am in my own home in a safe city. No one I
care about is missing. Anytime today that I wanted a drink of
water, it was there. The air smelled good. I wan't afraid. I had
food to eat.
This tragedy reminds us that our real needs as human beings are
so simple. And when our basic needs are met, our minds get
restless and our minds start inventing other needs for us. A new
car. More money. A bigger house. A different couch. But these
aren't really needs, these are simply desires, wishes,
preferences. Most of the time we forget the difference between
our needs and our desires.
On television I saw one family who had nothing left to call home
but a mattress on the floor in the basement of a church, but
they were some of the happiest people I had ever seen. Happy
because they were alive, and they were together and they had
hope.
The crisis in New Orleans reminded us again, of what our basic
needs are. Food to eat when we are hungry and water to drink
when we are thirsty. Being able to live down at night in a safe
place. A sweet breath of fresh air.
Being with the people we care about, and people who care about
us. Being part of a community where we have value and dignity.
Having someone to look after us when we are dying.
As the aftermath of the hurricane in New Orleans shows us, even
our most basic needs are not guaranteed to always be there. If
you have food to eat today, and clean water, and a safe place to
live with your loved ones, you're lucky, and not just lucky in a
superficial way. Every day that you get up and your basic needs
are met, it is a gift to you, a miracle.