a fleeting stay ...

A resident of the seaside town of Toyoma, northern Japan, wipes her eyes as she takes a break from cleaning debris from her home on Monday ( March 14, 2011), three days after a giant quake and tsunami struck Japan's northeastern coast. Photo courtesy of NST Image Bank.   Every tragedy is an opportunity to assess our feelings on loss and grief. And we are guided by our belief systems when we embark on this exercise. When we endure massive losses of the scale experienced by victims in the northeastern part of Japan we slip into confusion, misdirection and unhappiness. The hurt that follows the wreck of disaster is made worse by the inability to explain it. The question is, "Why me?" We want answers and yearn for immediate respite. We discover that answers are not forthcoming and it is tough trying to escape from something difficult or unpleasant. So, what do we do? Some pray to God for an end to their sufferings.When we ask God for help we are entrusting Him to ta

People can send their donations to the Tabung Bencana NSTP-Media Prima in aid of those affected by the earthquake and tsunami in northeastern Japan. The fund is jointly organised by NSTP , Media Prima Berhad and the Malaysian Red Crescent Society. Contributions can be sent to NSTP Finance Department, 31, Jalan Riong, 59100 Kuala Lumpur or any NSTP branch. Make out the cheques to "Tabung Bencana NSTP-Media Prima". You can also make cash deposits into Maybank account no. 514105-320757. Write your full name and address at the back of the cheque.

Earthquakes have claimed hundreds of thousands of lives in the last 100 years and improvements in technology have only slightly reduced the death toll, reports BBC News. Click here to read. See also the following: Japan crisis 'worst since WWII' How you can help Battle to cool second nuclear reactor

There is a sense of powerlessness about tragedies, and none more so than natural disasters. For observers, they see what is happening (either personally or through visuals conveyed by the mass media), but are powerless to help. The powerful Japan earthquake is a case in point. Admittedly, the Japanese are familiar with earthquakes and they have been taught what to do in such situations. Still, fear, chaos and confusion reign each time it happens and all the preparations in the world could not assuage people's concerns about the future. How do people cope? What about the elderly and children? NASP (National Association of School Psychologists) Resources has put together a handout to help children cope with a national tragedy. Please see below. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- A National Tragedy: Helping Children Cope   Tips for Parents and Teachers   Whenever a national tragedy occurs, such as terrorist attacks or nat

Say a prayer of gratitude The folks at NST received their productivity bonuses last Friday. Some were happy while others felt that they had been cheated out of their share of the profits. Their year-end appraisals were excellent; so, why? I have no intention of going into the whys and the wherefores of the situation. I am more interested in the expressions of gratitude or ingratitude that emerged on the day NST employees checked their bank accounts. A Facebook post by journalist Suzieana Uda Nagu stood out as being more meaningful than the rest.  She told Facebook friends what was on her mind at 5.34am on February 25 when she posted this cryptic message: "Are you smiling now warga  NSTP (or NSTP denizens)"? Several friends responded to Suzieana's status update with all kinds of comments. And it went back and forth. Suzieana Uda Nagu Those who work for the company would know what Suzieana was alluding to. The bonus payments which were promised to all staf