It’s been three days since I was home alone in the middle of a 5.7 and 6.3 earthquake in my hometown Christchurch, New Zealand. This is only 4 months after an unforgettable 6.3 quake in February 22 this year, an event which took many, many lives.
That February quake was a shocker! So, for those miles and miles away, unable to comprehend… imagine this. It’s early afternoon. I’d just finished a business call via Skype and was about to head into town to my favourite cafe to coach a client. Then BANG! The house started shaking incredibly violently, the power immediately went out, I heard the chimney smash to the ground of the neighbours lawn and glass light shades smash to the floor. Afterwards there was an airy silence… broken only by sirens of ambulance, fire brigade and police. Reality of what had happened quickly started to sink in. I stood there, on the street, alone.
“So, what’s this got to do with happiness?” I hear you say!
Connection with other human souls saved the day, especially connection with people I knew love and cared about me. It was through this connection that I found peace and felt happier.
After the February quake, it took 1 minute for me to connect via phone with loved ones, it took 5 minutes for a friend to arrive at my house, it took 10 minutes for that friend and I to bike to his brothers house to check on him (where we waited somewhat patiently in the house of complete strangers)… then some hours later, after tidying and calming down, I was on my bike again on my way to stay with friends 30kms away from where the quake really hit. These friends had power (the electricity type), waterlines that were unaffected by the quake (drinkable water)… but more importantly (and MOST importantly) I was in a house filled with people I love dearly.
I’d connected with people. I felt better. I felt home… and was almost (almost!!!!) able to forget about the earthquake.
No comments:
Post a Comment