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Crazy, crazy, crazy.
That’s the reaction we had when we first heard of the tragic incident unfolding in Christchurch, New Zealand.
You see usually, on Friday afternoon, I’d be winding down – maybe even having a drink or two with my work colleagues as we pat ourselves on the back for another week down.
But I remember that this Friday I was going full TILT.
Been a pretty full-on couple of weeks actually and this week was no different.
And then we heard the news…
Or rather, I first received the actual 16 minute video the shooter live streamed BEFORE knowing what was going on.
Initially I thought it was a prank video… because man alive, it is brutal and disturbing.
Sigh, it really puts things in perspective doesn’t it.
I mean, here I am, cursing and wailing that the Excel spreadsheet in front of me crashed for the umpteenth time.
But concurrently, somewhere, someplace in the world a completely senseless set of events are unfolding.
And you know, this one hit very close to home because… well, New Zealand is literally our next door neighbour, our closest and oldest ally. We share the same language, culture and way of life.
It also prompted speculation of reprisal attacks and “when-not-if” scenarios, here in Australia.
FEAR.
It’s contagious and debilitating ain’t it?
But how many moments like these are occurring each and every day – from school shootings in the US, to civil war on the African continent. From social break-down in Venezuela to devastating floods in Bangladesh.
It can make anyone a depressed cynic if you look hard enough.
BUT you know what?
We also saw the other side of human nature. The good. The righteous.
We saw the swift and forceful response from a rocked government.
We saw the strength and unification of a country in mourning.
And we saw the support and compassion pour in from all points of the globe.
That’s enough for me methinks.
To see that no matter what, us humans, we’re resilient creatures.
And you know, bringing it back, after finding out about the shootings, you think I gave a damn about the spreadsheet I was working on? Or the pestering client phone calls, or unanswered emails from the boss, late on a Friday afternoon?
Nah.
Life’s all about perspective.
Everything is relative to everything else.
And I hope that next week, no matter how bad – put yours back into perspective.
That’s what I’ll be doing.
R.I.P. Christchurch.
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26 Comments
Michael David Oyco
Learn from the incident and see on the positive sides. You have done well. God bless.
The Frugal Samurai
Thank you for saying so, and for your kind words.
SuccessRecepies
R.I.P. Christchurch. A saddening experience and have no words to describe the incident. Completely agree with you on that: Everything is relative to everything else.
The Frugal Samurai
It was wasn’t it! My goodness, terrifying and horrifying and just so sad.
Ane
I heard about the shooting incident from my 17 year old daughter because I don’t watch the news exactly because of events like these. 🙁 It’s devastating. But like what you said, it put everything else into perspective, and my burnt grilled cheese isn’t so upsetting anymore.
The Frugal Samurai
Ha, I was gonna laugh but it’d be completely inappropriate… yeah the news, sad to say, LOVE it when events like this happen (one of my best friends is a journalist), but what can you do, it’s their job. As for the events… completely horrifying and just senseless.
Kiwi
I hate to heard of tragedies like this, no matter what part of the world this is location. Rest in Paradise to all of those lives lost and my heart goes out to their loved ones.
The Frugal Samurai
Yes too true, it’s just tragic and completely senseless this scene of events, R.I.P. indeed. Thank you for your words.
Paulette
It is sad that there are sensless acts happening all over the world. All we can do is be United and brave.
The Frugal Samurai
I agree, we saw the best of humanity afterwards as well – so true!
Lyosha Varezhkina
That is so scary and terrifying! I can’t understand how this is actually possible. why, why so much anger!
The Frugal Samurai
I agree, why indeed is the question. There is a LOT of hate going on around the world right now… very sad to see actually. But we can just be STRONG right?
Bindu Thomas
This is really a great post and you have written well. The Christchurch in New Zealand looks amazing. Thanks for sharing this post.
The Frugal Samurai
Thank you for your kind words, it is a beautiful place but very unfortunate, first with the earthquakes and now this. But we humans are resilient are we not? Wishing you well.
amayszingblogs
I heard this news on CNN and I really sad for all of the victims. I Wish all of the country peace and support unity.
The Frugal Samurai
I do too, they’ve been through a lot recently. We can only hope that there are less and less… but alas, the world seems so CRUEL right now no? We gotta unite against this evil!
Tiffany @thismommytries
There are no words that adequately describe the sadness, and shocked feelings you feel when tragedy befalls a community in any country. I am so sorry you witness those terrible events. Life is crazy, but your right when we slow down and at look at perspective life really is what we make it. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and reactions to such a sad time.
The Frugal Samurai
No problems, thank you for sharing yours. Nothing prepares you seeing these things, I can’t imagine that there are members of our society who condone and encourage this sort of behaviour and actions. Truly NZ will be stronger and more united after this.
laura dove
This was utterly heartbreaking wasn’t it? I still can’t believe what happened, just such mindless deaths.
The Frugal Samurai
I know right… completely senseless is the word that comes to mind over and over again.
amandamillie
It is very sad and heartbreaking that we have to deal with this in this day and age. My heart goes out to those directly affected by the shooting.
The Frugal Samurai
Those are very kind words, it is completely heart-breaking. Kinda makes you question humanity a little bit doesn’t it? End of the day, we will be STRONGER from this. Thanks for reading.
toastycritic
I agree that I think life is about perspective. And you do need to rethink things in the face of a tragedy like this. It does bring out the beauty in humanity thankfully.
The Frugal Samurai
Yes it really does, it’s extremely unfortunate that we have to see the best of humanity during the worst… thanks for reading.
AnythingRad.Com
It was really a sad moment to have this happen in our times. I hope that everyone can get back up and be able to recover from this situation. A lot have been revealed form this, nonetheless, especially on their Prime Minister’s strength and the people’s solidarity in making unity the source of their fuel to come up and be stronger!
The Frugal Samurai
I hope so too, but that is the way society is these days – like you say, we see the very worst and the very best of human nature here. Yep, and good to see their PM, Ms Arden respond so decisively and resolutely as well. Thanks for reading.