A POSITIVE LOOK AT EVENTS

Recent Australian bush fires and flooding. Australia is currently experiencing a major learning curve and we can see many positive results arising from the recent fires and floods. There has been a large shift of focus to greater love and compassion which includes the wildlife.

Now we have another situation. We have the worst ever ecological disaster in Queensland as 230 tons of oil spilled from a cargo ship, damaging Moreton Island beaches and wildlife and has reached 60 kilometers down the coast. In addition to the oil escape, 31 containers of ammonium nitrate went overboard and appear to have sunk. They have to be located and retrieved fast before they start leaking and ruin the balance of everything for the foreseeable future.

A big cleanup operation is underway with birds, dolphins, turtles and eggs and pelicans being helped. People are unable to use the beaches and tourism is nil in badly affected areas. However, there is a determination by the people in affected areas to fix it quickly and get back their pristine beaches.

As we know there is always a large higher picture to such events. I was looking at just some of the obvious benefits seen so far from our recent fires and floods.

Learning will no doubt continue as more issues are examined. Many people have been touched by this experience. Some feel they have lost everything. This has caused an examination of what is really important in our lives. We will find that many will now choose to let go of fixed patterns and change direction to a new path in their life that may not have happened if they'd stayed in their routine ways of living.

We have gained valuable data and understanding to assist in handling fires, saving lives, homes and wildlife in the future. This learning is still underway as groups unite to debate the issues, including a review of laws that have prohibited people from creating fire breaks around their homes. Hearing of heartache from people who were unprepared, has motivated others to get their own affairs in order, insurance, will etc.  

Two different states, Queensland and Victoria, went through similar disasters within the same time period. This has helped break down ideas that people are somehow different in other states and has further united different states.

The disasters have helped link Australia to the rest of the world as heartfelt wishes poured in. It's also linked the people of the devastated towns like nothing else has. It has raised respect and given individual self esteem for the many thousands of fire fighters and organizations that devote themselves to such help. Many estranged families were brought together, united in the fight to preserve homes and lives. It will encourage governments and various agencies to work together to help grieving communities. 

As someone in Australia wrote of the recent disasters: 'I have been touched by the level of humanity, the humbling of our being and the unity and support of our community and Nation. These people whose names I may know only through the media have offered at their time of passing such a courageous and pure gift to mankind. The extension of compassion, the unity of religions, the connection of community and the love so far reaching, soul touching, life changing and generous that we will all be changed forever by its effects. God bless these special people who through their life have changed our word forever.'

Similarly, the current world economic situation, which is seen by many as a disaster, as we know, is creating a huge shift in planetary focus. Many more people now are aware that greed of money and power has been allowed to override integrity of action. Financial banking procedures are being examined and overturned. Huge executive payouts are being questioned in the light of how some company profits are attained. The focus shifts ever closer to one of unconditional love.

One area of benefit, which may not seem big at first look but has the potential of a huge impact on communities, health and environment, is the increased numbers of people turning to the land to grow their own vegetables. This started increasing 10 years ago as more people became aware of the benefits of organic produce, but has jumped in numbers recently because of the world economic situation. The home grown food is generally organic. So, aside from the lower cost, it offers the benefits of fresh healthy food and the advantage of knowing what has gone into your food and more importantly what has not. People with no garden area of their own, can lease land in a communal allotments available throughout Britain. Observing the increased need, the National Trust in Britain, its largest land owner, is about to release land in 40 areas to create more individual garden plots and larger community project allotments. Excited by this news, various groups have contacted railway and water authorities asking them to release land for this purpose. One new UK project in Brighton, Sussex offers rooftop allotments and a 3,000 home scheme near Cambridge has offered 168 plots. It is thought more house building schemes will make similar offers.

Allotments also help bring the community together as no-one is excluded from renting a plot. Surpluses of produce are shared. These plots help on so many levels including social interaction for families, the lonely and the elderly. Being part of a family who grows their own food helps children understand and appreciate how nature works and preserves the basic instinct of a parent to pass on to their child valuable teachings of how to grow and survive. These plots also preserve habitats and in towns they create corridors for the wildlife.

May we continue to remember that nothing exists on one level alone. That higher picture is always present, in all events in our lives. Just a further step on the path of enlightenment. So, we have no reason to get caught up in a limited third dimensional perspective of what is occurring. The people of Earth help each other to learn and grow and each step bring us closer to the goal of unconditional love.

Sandy Stevenson

March 2009