LEGACY OF THE QUAKE

"The man who views the world at fifty the same way he did at twenty has wasted thirty years of his life." Muhammad Ali

According to Jung, human beings require four gifts in order to live and grow - faith, hope, love and insight. Those who survive and are transformed by the quake are clearly left in possession of these gifts of grace.

They possess a far greater faith in themselves than ever before. They've been tested, and they persevered. They've been forced to let go, and yet were ultimately able to embrace. They lost much of their innocence, and yet they rediscovered a sense of wonder. They were wounded, and they experienced healing. They've cried out in the wilderness feeling frightened and alone, only to be met with silence, and still they found a way home.

The lessons of their failures, while humbling, have also taught them that they can begin again. They've come to understand that while they might not have obtained or achieved everything they had dreamed of, they've received far more than they would ever have thought possible to ask for. They've fallen down, only to rise again. They've learned that it's a gift beyond compare to have those whom they love (and who love them) in their lives.

They've looked into their own hearts and souls and have come to an understanding and acceptance of their unique assortment of strengths and weaknesses. And while their eyesight may not be as keen as it was when they were younger, they now possess the vision to more often see beneath the surface and beyond the horizon.

They recognize that the natural resources (including their own bodies) that they used to take for granted, are finite and at risk. They acknowledge this fact, not with despair, resignation, or indifference, but with a sense of responsibility, of purpose, and of appreciation. They've learned to handle all living things with respect and care. They're prepared to act upon what they know when it's prudent, and wise enough to proceed with caution when they're uncertain.

Yes, they still fear, but they seldom panic. And yes, they still hurt, but can maintain hope. No, they aren't above such human traits as selfishness, envy, anxiety, etc., but their quick to recognize them when they feel them, and are committed to working towards resolving the issues which confront them. And when they fail, they can both forgive themselves, while still accept responsibility for their mistakes.

THE SECRET OF THE QUAKE

"Wisdom is a healthy balance of reason and intuition." N.S. Xavier

Abraham Maslow, renowned psychologist and teacher, said that it's not possible for the young to achieve self-actualization (the state of reaching one's greatest potential.) While it may not be particularly kind or generous of me, I must agree.

In order to arrive even close to the very height of one's potential, one must have traveled a tremendous distance. This is a journey requiring years of wandering (and wondering), and it's one that's undertaken without a map. There are few guideposts - for the self is, and always has been, uncharted territory. The interior of the soul is beautiful, and yet, still it remains a wilderness. And while one may be young when starting out upon the path; this is a sojourn that most assuredly will only be completed by a mature adult. No matter how brave, how strong, how promising the youth that begins the journey might be, he or she is not equipped to successfully navigate its unmarked and untamed regions. Each will find again and yet again, that they are lost.

Most quickly find a place to settle, and then stay put for years before gathering the courage or momentum to venture out again. Others are forced out of their secure and safe havens. Regardless of how they came to be out of their zone of comfort and security, most are frightened and unsure. There is tremendous comfort in the familiar; however, it's often in unfamiliar realms that we achieve our greatest wisdom.

It's impossible to avoid risk. To live is to risk. It's also not possible to escape the trauma of a quake. Quakes eventually find everyone. The only choice you have in regards to a quake is how you choose to handle one. Will you retreat if you can? Will you allow yourself to be swallowed up? Will you hold on and stand your ground? If you choose to (or are forced to) endure the full measure of the quake, will you pay attention to its lessons? Will you act upon what you've learned? If you fail to do so, you will still be a survivor, but you won't have fully grown. Instead of being transformed, the experience may only have proven to damage and diminish you. The pain was unavoidable, you could do very little to control the suffering, but determining the outcome is very much within your power. The choice is yours.

Experiencing a quake isn't simply facing a life crisis. A life crisis can mistakenly be interpreted as threatening one segment of a person's life while seeming to leave the other components of his or her life relatively untouched. A quake envelops the whole person. It demands in no uncertain terms that you confront all aspects of your life. If you're perceptive enough to get its message, and wise enough to respond, then you will look at yourself and your world in its entirety. You'll explore how you're dealing with your body, your spirit, your intellect, your relationships, and your environment. You'll look long and hard, and then you'll begin making changes. I'm not suggesting that you do an immediate and complete overhaul of your life; only that you begin to attend to those issues that need tending by taking one step at a time.