Sunday 8 February 2009

sacred life sunday - devastation and gratitude

as i begin my post on 'sacred life sunday', i feel a deep sadness after following the flood disaster in ingham, in north queensland, due to torrential rains plus, the horrifying bushfire devastation in our southern state of victoria due to the intense heatwave that hit with temperatures around 45ºC/113ºF! two different extremes above and below where i live.....mother nature wielding her relentless power. with 25 officially dead from the bushfires and the death toll expected to climb, i pray for all who have been touched by these tragic circumstances. i pray that relief comes soon.

click here to read more on the current flood situation in ingham, queensland.

click here to read more on the victorian bushfires which continue to wreak havoc and devastation.

click here to read about the 59 fires currently burning in NSW.

pic was saved and posted from an email circulating on the koala's plight


animals need our prayers too. the young koala in the pic above was looking for relief from the heatwave. it's mother had become stressed and disorientated and left her baby alone. click here and here to read more.

in light of all this devastation and loss, it makes me feel so very grateful for (in no particular order) -


  • the air that i breathe

  • the water on tap

  • the food i eat

  • the many mugs of green tea throughout my day

  • the roof over my head

  • the clothes that i wear

  • my family

14 comments:

  1. I am so sorry for all that is happening there. I hope you stay safe. The poor little koala.

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  2. I hope your beautiful country gets some relief from the weather extremes you are suffering. Seems to be so many natural disasters all over the world in the past few year. Truly frightening.

    So good to see a post from you and know that you are safe and doing okay.

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  3. This devastation is truly heartbreaking, and I send out my best wishes and prayers to all those affected and the wish that it stop.

    Your gratitude list is a gentle antidote. Thank you for including it. :)

    I have also given you an award on my blog :)

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  4. I've been hearing on the news about all this going on in Australia. It's so sad and the death tolls are rising. I sure pray that this ends soon....

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  5. We have been seeing the news articles about the fires and devastation there, spoke about it last night and hoped there would be relief soon. My heart goes out to all the people and animals who are suffering, I hope Mother Nature will relent before any more damage is done. Glad to know you are safe & well.

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  6. I'm so sorry to hear about these terrible events that Australia is suffering through right now. I too send prayers for all who have been touched by the devastation. This little Koala is so very sweet and it breaks my heart to think of all the animals who have been injured or died.

    I'm so glad that you're not in an area that has been threatened Serena.

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  7. In my part of the states, I haven't even heard about all of this! Prayers for all people who are suffering, and special prayers for the animals. Thanks for your gratitude list - it is good to be reminded that mostly there is much to be grateful for. I was just thinking the other day how often we just do not know the reasons for things until much much later (this contemplating Son who is now sober after not being sober for most of his young life - how he is becoming a wounded healer for others...life is so strange sometimes). Peace.

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  8. I really like The Be Good Tanyas! Two of them are from BC and I went to see them in Victoria about 4 years ago when they were just starting to become "known" locally.

    Your painting is beautiful...I've been trying to work with watercolours again while I've been away as I brought a sketch book and a travelling watercolour paintbox with me. I haven't been too successful so far but I'm having fun with it.

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  9. I've been reading all day about what is happening there and its shocking to read and see the pictures. I can't imagine how scary it must be. I'm hoping that things start looking up and that people and the animals stay safe

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  10. YIKES how horrific! I'll keep Australia in my prayers for sure. That poor koala....

    :(

    I'm glad you are ok.

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  11. I just now heard about the fires on the news and ran over to check your blog. I'm relieved that you are alright but I'm deeply saddened to hear about how bad it is. I had no idea about the floods too. I'm sending up my prayers, along with everyone else's, for all the people, animals and the land.

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  12. I'm so glad you are okay! Such a sad thing when there are fires like that. They have them in the west in the United States quite often and they are so hard to contain. This one sounds really worse than most! Sending prayers!

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  13. Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers.....they are certainly appreciated ~ (((Hugs)))

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  14. Truly devastating news. But, they do have a way to make us realize and be grateful of the "little" things we have that make our life meaningful and lovely.

    *That koala just squeeze my heart with all kinds of warm feelings :)

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