Japan: Not Just Another Disaster

"There's no disaster that can't become a blessing and no blessing that can't become a disaster." Richard Bach

The world watches in horror as Japan endures the incredible triple whammy trifecta of earthquake, followed by tsunami and nuclear emergency. It you didn't know you were watching news reports, the televised images might seem to be the special effects of a science fiction/action movie.

So powerful was this 9.0 earthquake (the 5th largest on record) that the axis of the earth shifted. The earth actually contracted and began spinning faster making Friday slightly shorter by 1.8 microseconds in time. Japan moved closer to the United States by eight feet.

In my work as an intuitive, it isn't unusual for me to sense events before they occur. Last week I told hubby something big was coming to the world, though I did not know specifics. (This "knowing" is something like the calm and still electrical feeling in nature just before a thunderstorm. I call this the human version of sonar.)

There were interesting reports of bizarre fish behavior off the coast of Mexico. Perhaps the fish and I had similar sonar action!

There is a saying that shifting tectonic plates may coincide with shifts above ground as well. There is no doubt shifting is occurring above ground on the global level of humanity. The time for survival of the fittest mentality is over and we must now embrace the wisdom of teamwork.

Pundits have said that only a major crisis would shake up Japan enough to bring political and economic change. It is not only Japan that is being forced to confront issues. Crisis is occurring worldwide all at once, shaking up the status quo and forcing us to change and adapt quickly - whether we like it or not.

What if anything can we learn from the tragic circumstances in Japan?

We could take a lesson from the Japanese when it comes to technical preparedness. Japan has shown it runs extremely well in both planning and training ahead of time for calamity events like earthquakes.

In coping with this massive disaster the response tactics have been rehearsed, coordinated, well practiced - and it shows.

We see evidence of their innate sense of morality. Their civility during emergency, combined with an unsinkable sense of community in this largely Buddhist population, is worth notice.

The first supplies to the evacuation centers were donations of food from local grocers. Individuals staying in the evacuation centers automatically distributed the food evenly among themselves. One man gave his bowl of food to an elderly man that had not eaten.

Supplies remain extremely scarce. Evacuees say breakfast might be rice and tomatoes, nothing for lunch. Dinner is bread.

Still they share what is available.

The owner of a local sake company said he did not care about the loss of his assets only about history of his company, and the safety of his employees. He spent three days searching for them. He was able to locate about 22 of his 50 employees.

Japanese society may have flaws but how many Americans have bosses like that?

The Mayan calendar (so often misinterpreted by New Age) describes these times as crisis combined with opportunity.

Perhaps calamity is capable of bringing out the best in us.

The online Network for Good.com has outperformed traditional methods of fundraising for charity and disaster by making it possible to donate to any charity online any time of day or night, research or network with 1.2 million charities: volunteer, donate or partner with nonprofits.

These new networking ideas are a move toward a more efficient distribution through a larger outreach.

Networks and charities important are wonderful. However nothing is more powerful or more important than this single internal change: We must begin to speak with and to each other.

The Hopi say the time of the lone wolf is over. The attitude of every man for himself only creates division and belongs to the past.

If we can begin with knowing and caring about our immediate community and our neighbors - not just our loved ones and family- then we will begin to understand the concept of teamwork, both at home and beyond.

Cohesive teamwork: this is what makes a company, a society, a civilization, a nation or a neighborhood thrive.

What we can learn from the Japan disaster?

We learn from the strength and spirit of the Japanese people who have opened their homes to each other and are sharing their scarce resources.

As one citizen said "It's a Japanese thing."

Crisis combined with opportunity - the choice to act in favor of the collective good - THIS is the way of our evolution.

Sorrow will pass away. Reflection will lead us to a brighter future.

Karen Tallkat Conley intuitive counselor and educator, enjoys assisting others in recognizing and connecting with their own intuitive knowing, potential and life purpose. Powerful motivational and often comedic speaker, radio show host and storyteller, she inspires, captivates and warms the hearts of her audience and clients. She offers insights, wisdom and spiritual guidance which lead her clients toward creating a deliberate reality,a life that is authentic and meaningful.