Here Comes the Storm?

There may be a hurricane headed this way. The jury is still out, but just in case I filled some pitchers with water, have lots of food I can eat without needing utilities to prepare it, and have removed things from the yard that could be hazardous if hit with high winds.

So far there's just been a lot of wind and a little drizzle, with dark skies. This is a good day for some good tea. I've been drinking an oolong from Vietnam. I'm also baking some bread, which will hopefully have all the power it needs to complete.

The Bahamas

I've heard that the hurricane stopped over The Bahamas for hours, leaving the main island of the country 70% under water. Here's a screenshot from a news video:

I also saw one video where the 2nd floor of a house was flooding with water. I don't worry it is going to get that bad here, but glad I've got a 2nd floor!

Glad for many things actually. For one, that I normally have utilities on demand, and that the threat to that by a storm is the exception to the rule. That I can stock up on food whenever I choose to, and in fact the entire trip took less than an hour and involved a very pleasant, leisurely drive through beautiful areas. That if I wanted to, I could be at any one of three other houses owned by my family within a 10 minute drive. That I rent instead of owning right now. And so on.

There is much to be grateful for, even while facing a hurricane. It's important to think of all the people who aren't insulated from the effects of such weather events, and that also don't have access to what we take for granted even in the calmest of weather.

The more we can personally do to reduce our contribution to climate change, the more we help those people. That's both in that we'll be adding a sliver less to worsening storms, fires, drought, etc. and also in that we'll be acting in a manner that demonstrates compassion for the most vulnerable people around the world. I do believe that both matter, one at a physical level and the other at a spiritual level. It matters whether you feel that you live within a human family that is callous and selfish or compassionate.

I saw presidential candidate Williamson post on Twitter yesterday about not making fun of people who say they are praying for the people in the storm's path. Seemed like a reasonable request. But a journalist actually took her to task for the tweet, saying that it wasn't leadership to say that and that Williamson should be telling people to go deliver supplies instead.

My take on it is, do both and more. Pray for others in your thoughts, your words, and your deeds. Demonstrate your care in the various ways you can, according to your ability at the time.

Let's not make fun of each other for the ways we choose to reach out. You never know what situation someone is in, nor do you know what they've done or are already planning to do.

Judgement is a part of a lot of religions, and the main reason I don't take to religions in general. We can all do better with less judgment and more personal responsibility. You do you, and support others in doing the same. There is so much need in the world that however people are choosing to show up for that, good.