For those vacationing along the white sands of Southern Asia their mindset probably wasn't any different, until heaven turned to hell with the post-Christmas tsunami slamming on to shore.

Accounts from those that survived the disaster sound like something out of a Hollywood movie, except this time there are no special effects, just the real thing—more than 120,000 dead.

Once again it's a stark reminder that Mother Nature takes no prisoners, and cares nothing about age or ethnicity when she decides to declare war and let the world know who the real global boss is. And in doing so, it makes us stop right in our tracks and rethink our priorities.

Why does it always have to take a disaster of catastrophic portion to generate a worldwide collective gasp that finally brings nations to their knees? Only in these moments do borders vanish and populations join as one, momentarily forgetting their disagreements and battles. If we could only discover how to bottle this moment, this level of compassion—without the pain—and make it the norm not the exception. It makes me wonder if this horrific situation could possibly help jump start the repair of humanity's psyche, as countries reach out and lend their universal hands and hearts while temporarily forgetting their animosities. It shows how truly connected the 21st century world really is.

This tragedy affects more than just a dozen nations and countless people. It touches more than those who were immediately in harm's way. It is greater than that if you believe in six degrees of separation. In essence, this event affects us all.

This tsunami was a major wake-up call for all of humanity, every one of us, whether we were on that beach or thousands of miles away. It's the kind of realization that should jolt us out of our comfort zone, screaming at us not to take life for granted. Not to ignore our family, friends or even someone we might meet in a random moment. It's a jolt that should remind all of us to take things in stride, not to get upset over things that are absolutely irrelevant when it comes to the big picture—life.

The trick is to look at those images and read those stories and not just say to ourselves, "That's horrific." But instead say, "That could have been me," and believe the reality of those words.

It might mean that we have to frame the circumstances differently to relate. Maybe we are not lying on beach, perhaps it's hiking on a mountain trail when a sudden storm hits. Or we are boating when a squall comes out of nowhere. The key here is to remember that nature plays no favorites, and at any time we could be her victims.

We just need to remember that it can all end in the blink of an eye. And then look at this disaster as a moment to reflect on our tomorrows, and appreciate that we have them. It's also a chance to look at the upcoming year in a new light. Consider who we are and what we can do to improve ourselves and the world around us. We can volunteer more. Lend a hand to a needy stranger. Mentor a child or help a struggling teen. Make more time for family. Or we can just slow down a bit and breathe.

And as we resolve to change or modify our ways or strive toward new goals in 2005, we also need to find a way to help those on the other side of the globe. As these people struggle to put their lives back in order, we need to support them through prayer or financial means. And as we do so, we need to keep reminding ourselves that Mother Nature sees us all the same—one huge sea of humanity.

Moryt Milo is the editor of The Willow Glen Resident. She can be contacted at 400.200.1051 or mmilo@svcn.com.