Tragedy

The world seems to be carrying the burden of loss lately. The loss we are experiencing is not one we know how to react to. What injustice can be felt at the loss of a holy man? What anger can arise at nature for washing away entire cities?

Even the United States of America, who lowers their flag for little reason outside of their own existence, today, lowers their flag for on Nelson Mandela. For those of you who are unaware of who he is or what he did -- Mandela dedicated his life to bettering his country. He fought a legally binding racism and paved the way for mixed race leadership in his country. He was imprisoned for 27 years for his passion. Later in life he worked heavily with anti HIV charity.

Many will try and pin his greatness on character, change, goals. There are many reasons that he was a great man and we should mourn the loss of his enlightening presence. I recognize him most for the way he engaged what he believed in. Too often I meet those who choose to boycott. With statements like "It is hopeless." "What can I do?" and "I don't want to support a broken system." many excuse their lack of action. Mandela was actively involved in the system precisely because he wanted to change it. He had a career defined by involvement. He changed it from the inside. That is why I find him amazing.

And he is gone.

You can't change the flow of the river by standing on the riverbanks watching. Who will step up next?

We have hundreds of people stepping up right now to work in the Republic of the Philippines. After the tsunami sucked people from their beds and the earthquake flattened their homes-- we are responding.

We feel loss. No one was murdered. No terrorists attacked. No government official neglected his duties and allowed the death of his own people. We just saw life vanish. We mourn the loss. It is sad. It is really sad.