Interesting times indeed!

I found it odd how a natural disaster in another part of the world can have such an impact worldwide, but I know I was not the only one that felt horrified and somewhat numb about the earthquake and subsequent devastation that occurred in Haiti yesterday.

Now, I’ve never been to Haiti, but it has always conjured up images of tropical beaches and sunshine so to see the images of death, destruction and outward suffering of the victims is quite disturbing to say the least.

More than this, I am feeling a certain sense of helplessness, my desire is to hop on a plane and help out…but it is not possible to do so for a variety of reasons – some practical some personal.

I do think though that the time has come for me to get some basic preparedness instruction, as a starting point I have decided to renew my first aid and cpr skills, I had been taught them through the British Red Cross over 5 years ago, so its high time I renewed them and then I am going to educate myself on emergency preparedness…as someone living in an earthquake zone it feels like the right thing to do.

I believe that as the world evolves we will be faced with more challenges; I intend to be able to cope as best I can and lend help to those that are not able. I think we all have a responsibility to contribute in some way.

I wish the people in Haiti, the survivors and the people that are helping, strength in the days ahead.

2010 is here!

I have found that at the beginning of a new year there is always a sense of optimism, it is as if there is a new sense of possibility. This collective energy is quite contagious and one can really feel it on the people you see on the streets.

I made no new years’ resolutions, these I think are usually bound to fail because most often they are unrealistic. I did however; spend a lot of time over the New Year period reflecting on the previous year and with this being the beginning of a new decade, I spent some time reflecting on the last ten years. In this time, I have lived in three countries and been through a lifetime of personal change.

Wow, what a long strange trip it has been.

I am grateful for each and every opportunity and each and every day.

The Journey is the Reward!