What We Can Learn From the Wenchuan Quake Survivors

On 12 May 2008, an earthquake measuring a massive 8.0 on the Richter Scale, swept through Southwest China, killing about 80,000 people and made between 5-15 million people homeless without any sources of income.

Throughout the ordeal, Chinese and international rescue teams have been arriving in droves, despite the difficult terrain and bad whether. Aid from all sources have also arrived very quickly, saving countless lives. Fundraising campaigns to help survivors rebuild their lives continue even after more than a month from the disaster.

In terms of the rescue and aid missions, I believe this is a triumph of humanity, and that our world has gotten its act together to save lives, rather than to destroy them. Bravo to those whom have helped to organise and execute the rescue and aid missions

However, the heroes of these articles are not the rescue or aid heroes. They are the very survivors of the earthquake.

Notice I have used the word "survivors", and not "victims"

Victims refer to those that are "acted upon and adversely affected by a force or agent."

Survivors, on the other hand, refer to those who "carry on despite hardships or trauma"

Despite being scarred by the earthquake, and facing tremendous difficulties to rebuild their lives, most of the quake survivors did not draw attention to their plight.

Many of them lost their homes, their farms, their factories or any other sources of income. Some lost their entire families: their parents, spouse and children. Some are even triple amputees, losing both legs and an arm.

Instead, they remained positive and demonstrated the resilience that they will emerge the eventual victor in this calamity. There are many selfless acts in this disaster, including:

1. The dead mom who saved her infant's life by putting her nipple in the infant's mouth, and using her body as a shield for collapsing debris;

2. The school teacher who kept vigil for more than 30 hours by her students before they were all rescued, only to find her daughter (also a student in the same school) dead in another part of the collapsed school. The school teacher knew where her daughter was, but chose to stay close to her students and gave more than just moral support;

3. The survivor who insisted that she be amputated so that rescuers can have more time rescuing others

If only we could learn just a little from those who gave their lives, and those who demonstrated the steely resolve to survive against all odds and remain optimistic.

Many businesses have been adversely affected by rising oil and raw material prices. Unlike the Wenchuan quake survivors, many of these business owners and managers prefer to whine about it.

The price per barrel of oil may reach US$200 in a year's time. At best, it will NOT fall below US$100. The sub-prime crisis in the US didn't help matters too. Yes, the future is bleak, and it starts tonight.

What business managers and owners have to do now is to take the necessary action to adapt to the world of expensive oil and raw materials, not simply whine about.

At US$200 a barrel, it is indeed tough for many businesses to survive.

However, compared to what the Quake survivors are facing, this is a "walk in the park".

Furthermore, businesses still have time to prepare themselves.

Just like the earthquake, rising oil and raw material prices is a reality. The only thing we can do is to face it squarely, and deal with it.

If only the resilience, optimism and resourcefulness of the Quake survivors can rub off onto the business community. Immediately after the earthquake, survivors band together to create temporary shelters, set up camp fires to keep warm and gathered all remaining food supplies, BEFORE any rescuers or aid could reach them.

Perhaps the story that most personify the optimism and the will to live is none other than the "Coke Boy". Rescued after 80 hours, the first words 17 year-old Xue Xiao said was "Can I have some cola? Chilled one, please." No he didn't mention Coke or Coca-cola in "live" television. Xue Xiao later had to have his right arm and leg amputated, and those first words are likely to express him being glad to enjoy his favourite cola again.

Send your ideas on how else we can learn from the Wenchuan Quake survivors to info@psycheselling.com We certainly need more positive ideas in bad times, don't we?

Keywords: