Tip#133: This is Your Wake Up Call - Deep Impact

Unexpected disasters around us can shake us up. They can force us out of our normal routines and refocus on the priorities in our lives.

Last Wednesday there was a devastating fire in my downtown neighbourhood of Toronto. The fire destroyed buildings just around the corner from me along Queen Street West sending a huge plume of smoke into the sky. It reminded me of 9/11.

The news reported that the people who lived in these buildings were able to escape with only the clothes on their backs. They lost everything they had in the fire.

Duke's Cycles

I was in shock as I watched the disaster continue on the TV coverage. The building that was home to Duke's Cycles was completely burned to the ground. I had bought my mountain bike from there years ago. It had been a part of the community since 1914 and suddenly it was gone.

These recent events reminded me of the Southern California fires of 2007 and other community disasters like Hurricane Katrina.When you are witnessing these situations your perception of life somehow shifts deep inside you.

Deep Impact

The movie, Deep Impactstars Tea Leoni and Robert Duvall and is about a global disaster that forces everyone in the film to see what is most important in their lives. It asks you the question: What would you do if you knew an enormous comet would collide with the Earth?

The Day After Tomorrow

The movie, The Day After Tomorrowstars Dennis Quaid who plays the father to Jake Gyllenhaal's character. It's another disaster story about global warming triggering a new ice age. The scenes of a devastated Los Angeles and downtown Manhattan are chilling scenes. Again this thought-provoking film gets you to re-examine what is most important in your life.

So let these movies as well as real-life events shake up your thoughts. Allow yourself to feel for what is happening whether the disasters are happening in your own backyard or on the other side of our planet. Then look at what you value most in your life.

Ask yourself: What would you take with you in case of an emergency? Would it be family, pets, photo albums or something else you can't live without? Start planning now. This is your wake up call.

To see photos of Queen Street West fire:
Click here

Emmanuel Lopez
Silverlining Specialist & Motivational Wingman
www.motivatorman.com
© Emmanuel Lopez 2008