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By Ken Baird – Happyzine Positive Writing Course graduate

It is been more than a month on from the Canterbury Earthquake that rated in amongst the top dozen to hit New Zealand ever. The aftershocks continue day and night reminding those that feel it just how fragile the world we build around us is and also how fragile the world that grows underneath us is.

It is a natural disaster. One that spurns fear and anger. One that spurns upset ad upheaval, just like all natural disasters that occur around our planet on a very regular basis.

Hurricanes in Mexico, Volcanic Eruption in Indonesia, Wild Fires in Bolivia, Floods in Pakistan, Landslides in Nepal.. to name but a few over recent months.

Now, It is our turn here in NZ. And what is the one thing that stands out most in the headlines when we listen to the latest in regards to Canterbury?

People Making a Difference.

People pulling together to Rebuild Lives.

People Giving to Help.

There are many, many positive responses to the negative situations that have arisen.

Take Tonga – one of the poorest nations in the Pacific – has raised more than NZ$700,000 for the Christchurch Earthquake Appeal Fund. And all in one day! That’s the equivalent of every Tongan giving more than NZ$7 each. Imagine if every New Zealander did likewise. It would be a staggering $31 million for the cause.

Locally, businesses pulled together to throw a party at Brooklands community centre with free food and music to raise the spirits and the hearts of residents nearby. People are sticking together, side by side reminding each other that we are not alone.

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Some say, the Government’s support of businesses in the area should be replicated nationwide. They demonstrated how quickly they can act in response to an emergency to provide essential lifelines for business.

In less than a week, they cut through red tape to provide wage assistance for employers, access to emergency funding, and a level of flexibility from the IRD.

And even numbers of visitors to Canterbury region are rising, with people wanting to help out in any way possible.  It often takes times of such disasters to bring people together. This is the way of the world.

And this is our story. Locally. We were next in the National Disasters Queue that traverses the globe.

We responded instinctively, courageously and protectivly of each other.  Others were encouraged to respond with compassion, empathy and an almost clan-like bond.  We decided not to wallow, but to stand tall, and though the ground may shake below us, it did not alter our defiant stance.
The basic human instinct of survival coupled with the protective instinct, formed a resilient force.. and this was the NZ spirit!

About Ken Baird

“Live, Love & Laugh .. always! These are the important things to me. I enjoy travelling, discovering new sights & sounds for the senses, meeting new people, connecting the world like a giant join-the-dots puzzle. I grew up in Ireland, where the importance of storytelling & the gift-of-the-gab is not underestimated! I arrived in NZ last year, accompanied with my lovely Orla and our 2 dogs, Bilbo & Sonas. Life is fun, isn’t it!!?!”

Tags: positive writing