7 Great Life Lessons From Tsunami Survivor
As I am writing this article, the world is shaken by the tsunami that hit Asia on 26 December 2004. It is only now that we start understanding the greatness of the tragedy.
But it is also at such moments that we can see examples of outstanding people's bravery and courage. And you know, they don't even think about themselves as brave, they simply did what they thought was right.
I am referring to the story of Phuket's resident Bill O'Leary, a former Australian, who saved many lives.
Just 2 minutes before the first wave hit, he received a phone call from his employee, who was on the beach where the company's office is located, "The shoreline receded 250 meters past the swim platform".
O'Leary was in the sea with guests of his cruise company and his 3 children on the board. He knew the news spelled big trouble. The swim platform was anchored 8 meters deep. He also remembered a shake he felt earlier that morning.
Not many people in Thailand knew about tsunamis but Bill immediately recognized the warning signs. Without delay, he phoned his offices and major hotels, telling them to remove people off the beach, "A tsunami is coming. Clear the beach and get people to high ground." He also asked other people on the boat to make phone calls to places they knew.
Then he headed out to the sea to face the giant wave. Bill was on the other side of the island, further away from the upcoming tsunami He was in open water when he received the call from the same employee that tsunami hit the Phuket's beach. Bill pulled back the engines and waited. Then he saw it. A 5-meter step on the water traveling faster than any wave he'd seen before. He directed the boat right at the step and jumped on.
The guests and children were terrified as the boat was riding the wave and everybody was screaming. Bill managed to keep the boat straight until the waves passed. Looking back they could see a wall of water washing off small boats and fish farms ashore. But O'Leary and his crew were safe.
And so were many people that got the 2-minute warning from him. They ran to high grounds and survived. One of the hotels on the beach that got the call, the Marriott, did not have anyone died.
But there also were people who ran back to their homes to fetch some valuables, and who died holding those valuables.
And here are the seven great life lessons we can learn from Bill O'Leary, a tsunami survivor:
1. If you live in the front row, this is where tsunamis hit.
Oceanfront homes come with drawbacks. Have an exit plan in case of emergency and learn the warning signs.
2. A tsunami does not come unannounced.
There ARE warning signs, always. Keep your feelings alert and you should not miss them. If there is a sudden change, seek an explanation.
3. If you know about a problem, alert others.
Don't be afraid to be a Chicken Little. The sky may be really falling.
4. When smell danger, it is wise to run away.
When your gut feeling alerts you, don't freeze. Do something. The problem will only get worse if you wait. If you don't know what can be coming, ask others for help. If there is nobody around to help, simply run. Trust your gut feeling. If you feel unsafe, remove yourself from the situation immediately. Stop a date and excuse yourself. Jump off the car on the traffic light. It's better to be silly than dead.
5. If you cannot run away from the danger, face it with courage.
Jump on the wave and keep your boat straight. Be totally fearless. Fight, if you have to.
6. No matter what happens, keep your cool.
There is no sense in panicking. Don't let your fears or anger overwhelm you. In any situation, the first question you should ask yourself is, "What can I do about it?" Decide on the course of actions and carry on.
7. You are priceless.
You life is thousands times more valuable than anything you own. If you smell danger, forget about your purse, cash or a family memorabilia. Even if you have nothing, you will be still the same person you are today.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Elena Welon is the webmaster of FREE online personals http://www.Match-Seeker.com - a popular meeting place for thousands of singles seeking dating, love and relationships. There is NO charge for posting your profile or writing to members. Come and meet our great members and find your match.
Meet somebody special at http://www.Match-Seeker.com today!
Latest News
Dawgs digging deep to find last-game motivation Seattle Post Intelligencer - Finding motivation figures to be a challenge for a squad coming off a 16-13 double-overtime loss in its rivalry game. Willingham insisted he won't use his ... |
![]() The Money Times | OPEC Cuts: A Barrel Of Laughs Forbes, NY - "The major motivation for sellers is the discounting of the OPEC decision," said Mike Fitzpatrick, vice president of MF Global, in a report, "but motivation ... Oil prices dive after OPEC holds output unchanged |
Irish Win Record 39th Straight at Home New York Times, United States - “We knew coming into this game that there was something to play for and that gave us a little extra motivation,” said McAlarney, who led the Irish with 32 ... |
![]() Dothan Eagle | Where's the love for Alabama? Gainesville Sun, FL - You have to believe it's motivation for the Tide. "I guess you could say that," Alabama quarterback John Parker Wilson said. "But it's not something we've ... SEC CHAMPIONSHIP: Florida’s Harvin could miss game Florida Gators' Harvin improves, but enough to face Alabama? Transcript of Nick Saban conference call |
Vikings' view from above: exhilarating Minneapolis Star Tribune, MN - ... and I don't think those guys on that team want to be attached with not having a win. So that is a different kind of motivation, but nonetheless motivation." A moment to celebrate? |
Chiefs provide Raiders true motivation to run Sacramento Bee, USA - "It gives us a little extra motivation to play for because when you have hard times, it's tough to find that extra motivation. We're playing at home against ... |
![]() Seattle Post Intelligencer | AU should have plenty of motivation Times-Journal, AL - Then again, the Tigers should take the field at Bryant-Denny Stadium with plenty of motivation. - With a win, Auburn will become bowl eligible. ... Iron Bowl is motivation for injured Auburn players Tide has been scouting Florida for awhile Tide, Tigers Have Different Motivations |
Disease is motivation, not obstacle, for Center Grove senior Indianapolis Star, United States - But I use that as a motivation to work harder and push myself through conditioning." That dedication is inspiring to others around him, Center Grove coach ... |
MiamiHerald.com | Motivation, Tebow and Percy-cution GatorCountry.com, FL - Percy Harvin turns on the jets and heads to the end zone against South Carolina/Gator Country Photo by Tim Casey. The year was 1968 and the fifth-ranked ... No. 2 Gators hammer rival FSU again, 45-15 Storming to Atlanta: No. 2 UF heads for showdown with No. 1 'Bama ... Tebow: The Ultimate Warrior |
Don't let motivation to conserve fall with fuel prices Bloomington Pantagraph, USA - When gasoline was selling for $4 a gallon there was greater motivation to address those problems, just as there was when the fuel crisis of the 1970s hit ... |
Resources
-
Affirmations goal setting software - Motivation & personal growth
Affirmation goal setting motivational software, for improved mental/physical health, personal growth.
-
Hypnosis Will Change Your Life
Featuring all hypnosis products by Steve G. Jones, the world
-
Productivity. Improve business productivity through work measurement and method study.
Set of resources to improve worker, workplace and office productivity. Learn to measure productivity, calculate a productivity index and construct a total factor productivity index. Resources include team productivity and employee productivity.
-
The Science of Success
The Science of Success is a simple guide to living a happier, richer, and more successful life.
-
Low Carb Diet Plans: Stop Cheating On Your Low Carb Diet!
Brand New Model Of Human Motivation Helps Dieters Stick To Their Diets!
-
The Motivated Mind - A Complete Guide to Personal Change
Motivation tips and techniques to help you achieve greater happiness and success.
-
Health-E-Meals.com - Quick and Healthy Recipes, Snacks, Fitness Tips, Motivation, Links.
Healthy Solutions for Your Busy Life. Health-E-Meals.com offers a free healthy cooking newsletter as well as other practical resources for making healthy living, eating and exercise a part of your busy life.
-
Super Tactics of Time Management Experts - Dave Saunders, The Time Management Guy
Learn from an expert in Time Management and develop personal techniques, tips and tools to help create the Motivation you need to follow through to your success.
-
Low Carb Motivation recipe ebook
low carb Motivation recipe ebook - lose weight and stay healthy. Low-cabr recipes.
-
Lacking Motivation ? Help Is Waiting For You
Lacking Motivation? Help is waiting


