CHRISTCHURCH EARTHQUAKE: ONE DEGREE OF SEPARATION

My country has suffered from a major, major earthquake in the South Island of New Zealand. It's extremely difficult to understand and accept how this has changed people's lives forever. New Zealand is in a national state of emergency and this is a huge wake up call for all of us.

The news coverage is non-stop and you can't go anywhere without thinking about the people in Christchurch and what they're suffering through during each minute of the day.

Many people have died as a result of the earthquake and this has made me sit up and rethink life. Today I want to make sure I take the opportunity to tell you of a few things you can do to ensure you have no regrets about the life you're living. Here's what you can think about doing:

1. Prepare a 72 hour emergency kit for you and your loved ones. It WILL save your life if you are caught up in a disaster. You won't be queuing up at the supermarket for water and supplies.
2. Forgive the person you've been holding a grudge against. Reach out to them. Write them a letter or pick up the phone. Just get in touch and say hi.
3. Choose to be more loving to yourself and others. Live in joy every day.
4. Have as few regrets as possible.
5. Make sure you live a good life. Do the right thing every single day.
6. Take responsibility for your actions. Every decision you make has consequences, so try to make the right choices where you can.
7. Tell people close to you that you love them. All the time, every time.
8. Choose to do meaningful things. Eg: planting flowers so you can give them to friends, sending a gift, or going to the beach on a sunny day to feel the sand between your toes and to smell the salt in the air. Think about how lucky you are to be able to do that and what a luxury it is to have that time. These things are better than choosing to read this week's copy of NW, getting blind drunk, or watching Jersey Shore.
9. Listen to others without judging. Have an open, loving heart.
10. Get to know your neighbour and get their contact details. They could save your life and vice versa.
11. Jump on opportunities. Grab the golden ring an pursue what you desire.
12. Avoid excess expenditures. Do you really need that $700 pair of sunglasses?

I really feel that the majority of stuff I blog about is not important at all now. This tragedy has made me realise that, so over time, the nature of this blog and the content will slowly start to change. I'll be adding more meaningful content, but some of the same old stuff will remain. 

There may be a lot of upsetting things happening around us and to us, but remember that we always get to decide how we'll control ourselves and how we'll react.

Be safe and take care of each other. Love to you all. xx