How to be happy again amidst tragedy in Türkiye 

How to be happy again amidst tragedy in Türkiye 

I do not imply to be a drama queen, and I virtually really feel unfit to even write in regards to the scenario, particularly as so many have suffered such horror. After all, I’m in a city in Muğla, on Türkiye’s southwestern coast on the opposite facet of the nation. Although we solely watch the wreckage within the footage, the earthquake’s aftermath can also be palpable. The city is close to empty, with many individuals setting off for the southeast to assist the earthquake victims and others in mourning, like me, lacking the individuals we misplaced to tragic deaths. Last evening was the primary time a movie was proven on tv fairly than the 24-hour protection of the restoration of victims.

The standard greetings of claiming “Naber,” as in “How are you?” is now not a query we are able to reply in useless. No one right here is okay proper now. We really feel responsible saying it’s chilly outdoors and equally for even surviving. I really feel like a drama queen for feeling as unhappy as I’m, regardless that I misplaced somebody I liked to a genuinely terrifying loss of life. While the Turks round me really feel the identical, they arrive from a legacy of Stoics, and as an alternative of blatantly expressing their feelings, they have an inclination to mobilize their power into reduction efforts, which does convey some sense of function again to life.

A man reacts as people search the rubble of collapsed apartment blocks for personal belongings, in the aftermath of a deadly earthquake, Kahramanmaraş, Türkiye, Feb. 18, 2023. (Reuters Photo)

A person reacts as individuals search the rubble of collapsed condominium blocks for private belongings, within the aftermath of a lethal earthquake, Kahramanmaraş, Türkiye, Feb. 18, 2023. (Reuters Photo)

How to be joyful once more

That stated, I requested a mentor of mine, a fellow expat and knowledgeable in happiness and being grounded, the way to really feel pleasure once more. And what he stated shocked me but in addition was a type of reset. In brief, he stated: “Leyla, you should feel happy now because you survived. But, unfortunately, tragedies happen, and sometimes we are hopeless. And so, feel grateful that you have a roof over your head, a job, and another day because, at any moment, it can be taken away.”

“This situation can be an awakening that anything you may have complained about before is luxury and, as the saying goes, ‘First-world problems.’ So, no longer will people be upset because their computer isn’t working or complain about trivial things such as line-cutting or horn-honking. Instead, let this tragedy serve as a lesson that every moment we have is a gift and to be grateful for everything and everyone we have in our lives while we still do,” he stated.

Gratitude can floor us

While nonetheless devastated, the steerage to really feel grateful for the sweetness nonetheless left in life has helped change my perspective. Instead of feeling responsible for experiencing pleasure and moments of lightheartedness and typically even laughter, I now really feel responsible wallowing in sorrow. Somehow, the feelings of pleasure and unhappiness are mixed, and I feel we have now to discover ways to reside in concord with each to be mentally sound. But possibly that’s the key to life and having fun with each second we have now in it.

I do know that I don’t suppose I’ll as shortly complain in regards to the easy issues and hopefully received’t even discover them. And I understand how fortunate we’re to take pleasure in even the easy issues, like a scorching cup of espresso, an attractive sundown and embracing an excellent pal. But, all of the sudden, now every thing has which means. It’s as if this tragedy is sort of a lesson in genuinely appreciating each second we have now on this fleeting life.

Photographs of various families found in the rubble of what used to be an apartment block are tied to a tree trunk with police tape, in the aftermath of a deadly earthquake, Kahramanmaraş, Türkiye, Feb. 18, 2023. (Reuters Photo)

Photographs of varied households discovered within the rubble of what was an condominium block are tied to a tree trunk with police tape, within the aftermath of a lethal earthquake, Kahramanmaraş, Türkiye, Feb. 18, 2023. (Reuters Photo)

Helping is happiness

Scientific research on happiness present that serving to others is among the main catalysts to feeling good. Volunteering our time for charity work, donating and aiding in any means we are able to is in our human nature, and doing so brings us happiness. On par with philanthropy, the recipe for happiness is having constructive social interactions with others. While this data is sort of inherent in Turks, who bounce to assist and talk as a lot as potential, others could must be reminded.

And so, because the ethical of this story goes, if you wish to really feel good once more, spend your power on being a part of the reduction efforts. We can donate on our personal, however even higher helps alongside others, which research present will work to double the enjoyment we really feel at that second. Unfortunately, there’s a lengthy highway forward to restoration in southeast Türkiye.

Recently known as NATO’s worst pure catastrophe, the grieving and restoration efforts will take a very long time. So, if there may be any silver lining, possibly we are able to additionally spend this lengthy highway forward serving to others rebuild their lives once more from the rubble.

The Daily Sabah Newsletter

Keep updated with what’s taking place in Turkey,
it’s area and the world.


You can unsubscribe at any time. By signing up you’re agreeing to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
This web site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Source: www.dailysabah.com