For The Grace That Keeps Us Breathing Today为着今天仍可呼吸的恩典For The Grace That Keeps Us Breathing Today

(Original in Mandarin)
For the grace that keeps us breathing today, let us smile, let us cry.

That day during the workshop. Our hearts felt strangely heavy. We were silent for a few minutes, as everyone was prayed for the 239 passengers and their families, who were strangers to us. Losing a loved one leaves a person with scar and pain that is difficult to heal.

It is understandable that the feelings of anxiety, turmoil and confusion are unbearable. Each person\’s ability to handle anxiety is different. Some families may not be able to take the pressure causing them to panic and breakdown. The overwhelming grief displayed by the families when they first received the news that the airplane most likely had crashed into the Southern Indian Ocean is expected. That is the expected first reaction of family members when faced with a major trauma like this. It would take time for them to come to terms with what has happened. It is in this period that they need the most help and support.

When humans were created, we had a special ability placed inside of us, which is the ability to empathize. This ability helps us understand another person’s situation and experience their feelings. Today’s culture emphasizes empathy, but when a person is overly-empathetic, it may develop in to a dangerous emotional roller coaster ride. It may even cause them to become hostile towards the people around them.

With a little understanding, our community, our nation, our world could get along better. No matter which country a person is from, his life is as precious as everyone else’s.

Some people may have more time to stop and reflect on life. Allowing them to cherish the things and people around them, and not taking their lives for granted. For the grace that keeps us breathing today, let us smile, let us cry, let us thank our Creator.为着今天仍可呼吸的恩典,咧嘴而笑,流泪而哭

那天,工作坊。大家心里都陷入一种莫名的沉重感。安静了几分钟,大家在心里默默的为着即使没有血缘关系,但却流着一样红血的239人及家属祷告。对失去亲人的家属,是一道难以疗愈的伤疤,伤痛。

可以被理解的情绪是焦虑,混乱,忧烦不堪。个人的焦虑程度因人而异,一些家属可能不堪焦虑的压迫,而呈现崩溃及恐慌状态。有些会退缩,无法与人沟通时反应,无法做决定。这些家属在听到飞机坠入南印度洋后的悲愤情绪,是可以被同理的,是一般家属在遭遇重大创伤后,最直接的心理投射。家属需要一段时期从无法接受到愿意接受现实。处于这段时期非常需要获得支持,协助,投靠。

我们人类被造时其中一个特别之处就是我们里面应存着同理心,试着了解对方的处境,贴上对方的感受。但与此同时,我们的文化却更加强调同情心,当人过于操作内在同情心时,将演变成负面情绪高昂,甚至对“无辜的戴罪羔羊”产生敌意。

多一份同理,我们的社会,国家,国与国的和睦将更美好。在生命意义的角度上,不管何国人,人存在的价值都是一样的。

若我们从正面的意义来看,一些人可能有更多自察,停下,留下往内看的空间。学会更加珍惜眼前的人事物。甚至了解活着不是理所当然的。为着今天仍可呼吸的恩典,咧嘴而笑,流泪而哭,来感谢造我们的主。