We wake up each day and go through our daily routines. Whether it is work, school or finishing things up at our homes, we continue to walk through each day simply doing what we need to get done. However, when do we stop and actually see what we are doing? When do we stop and see all that we have in our day-to-day lives? We are so oblivious to the daily blessings we are given.
The people who inhabit the Bahamas and various communities along the southeastern coast of the United States were all thrown for a spin when they had to adjust to the huge approaching hurricane, Dorian. This tropical storm had passed through the media’s attention a couple of weeks ago and has since become a topic of less importance to news streams.
As of Sept. 9, NBC News reported on the death toll in the Bahamas climbing to 50 with thousands of others missing in the midst of the damages. This trail of damage left behind was heaps of broken-down homes and buildings that were once inhabited by families.
Along with the damages in the Bahamas, there was a vast amount of damage along the southwestern United States border. This includes the damages at Bogue’s Bank, a barrier island along the coast of North Carolina.
This storm is a natural disaster that has made a huge impact on thousands of people but hardly reflects upon others’ lives. We all listen to the problems that it has caused others, but do we reflect upon our own blessings and the things that we are lucky to have in our own lives? These things range from the homes we live in and the food we have, to the education we receive and the family we have by our sides.
Dorian is only one example of these unwanted disasters that have pushed their way into people’s lives. In the past month, there has been a major fire burning through the Amazon rainforest. Though it has been made known through various news outlets, few people have taken these types of situations to heart.
Even though Dorian’s story has fizzled out of the public’s main view, the idea of it should remain in our thoughts. Disasters are things that can disrupt our lives in a blink of an eye, and it is extremely hard to be completely prepared for them. Though we can not prevent them from happening, we can focus on the things we have that they have not taken away from us. It is important to remember the blessings we do have and be aware that we are lucky to have them in our lives. We never know when they could be taken away from us.
Challenge yourself to see the good things that you have in your life. Joe Torre, a professional baseball executive and former New York Yankees manager, stated, “Unless you have bad times, you can’t appreciate the good times.” This is a metaphor to live by when remembering the things we have. Though we have the bad times, they can help make us better see all of the good ones.
Erica Gustafson is a contributing writer for The Bona Venture
His email is gustafea18@bonaventure.edu
