Today I woke up to the news that yet another earthquake had hit Nepal. This time the 7.3 earthquake was 42 miles from Namche Bazaar, close to Mt. Everest. I realized with a start that this is the area that my niece's friend Katie had been trekking in. I had a Facebook message from Katie not two days ago that she was fine and was staying there until she left to go to Khatmandu in two weeks. My heart sank when I realized that today she might not be so safe. I immediately took to social media to see if I could find an answer. It came via text message an hour or so later, that Katie was indeed safe for now. My first in all of this is that I realized truly for the first time, how quickly a life can be taken. In the blink of an eye an earthquake could hit and take dozens of lives. With this mindset, I proceeded to go about my day just a little differently. I had a new purpose. I realized that today could be my last day on earth. If so, did I want to spend it doing meaningless things? Did I want to spend it watching reality television (not that I make a habit of that). No, I answered, I want to make every minute count.
Sitting at my desk this morning, I realized that I had an overwhelming urge to help out someone. I didn't know what form this would take, but quickly realized that it would be one step in the right direction to send a donation to a Go Fund Me Page that I have been reading about on Facebook. My amazing Reiki teacher Carol Wilson is on the ground working tirelessly in Nepal. Carol landed in Khatmandu just five minutes before the first big earthquake hit. She could have made the choice to turn around and go home, but instead she is staying to help out with relief efforts. Below I have attached a link to her Go Fund Me Page. It has a beautiful video that her kids put together for her for Mother's Day. What kind, selfless kids she has. They definitely learned that from their mom.
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZ6GoIrVP8I[/embed]
Carol's page is http://www.gofundme.com/ubfcsg.
I know it sounds trite to say life has changed for me in this instance, but I keep getting this feeling that in some ways it has. I have made a deep decision to make some changes and will act on them now. It's selfish of me to not use this one beautiful life I have been given to give my gifts to the world. What that looks like might not be so clear right now, but it is time to start moving in that direction and not be afraid to put those gifts out there. How many people has Carol directly affected by using her gifts to the world? It may be ten or thousands, but if she didn't have the courage to use her gifts right now in Nepal, the world would be a different place for those affected by this earthquake.
I urge you, the reader, to take some time today and see what changes you might need to instill in your life. Maybe you are in complete alignment with your purpose. If so, I applaud you and commend you that you are there. However, if you are not in alignment, I know the feeling. I also will think of you as I am making my own strides. It's hard to put that first foot on the steps, but just imagine what we can do if we keep moving forward!!
God bless all the people affected by these terrible earthquakes. Let's pray together that they all find peace sooner rather than later!
“Faith is taking the first step even when you can’t see the whole staircase." - M.L. King Jr.
Until my next adventure in life,
P.A. Walker
