Its front page and screen all over Australia, not sure how apparent it is in the US.  I speak of the tragic bushfire disasters.  They struck several places in Victoria, where I was just 3 weeks ago.  The randomness of Natural disasters is something that has always perplexed me.   The devastation was similar to tornadoes in that one house reduced to rubble neighbored a house that was hardly touched.  Being burned and killed is terrifying.  My friend Jonny who I am staying with sent out a chain email with some honest words in it, so I will quote him here.

“It’s Australia’s worst natural disaster since European Settlement and for me, I feel like it’s going to be the start of a new way of thinking.  The fact that so many of us are concerned by petty differences, road rage, credit cards, selfishness or just being so insular in our focus for money and happiness, just has to be changed.  The little inconveniences of life that we try and avoid to feel more comfortable and achieve greater personal success can surely be spared for a few days to help. The positives here are all around us. So many people must be wishing they had told close friends and family that they loved them one more time before this tragedy. Use this opportunity for perspective.“-Jonny

Donations:   http://www.redcross.org.au/default.asp

~Nate