Ten Things To Learn From Japan

1. THE CALM 
Not a single visual of chest-beating or wild grief. Sorrow itself has been elevated. 

2. THE DIGNITY 
Disciplined queues for water & groceries. Not a rough word or a crude gesture. 

3. THE ABILITY 
The incredible architects, for instance. Buildings swayed but didn’t fall. 

4. THE GRACE 
People bought only what they needed for the present, so everybody could get something. 

5. THE ORDER 
No looting in shops. No honking & no overtaking on the roads. Just understanding. 

6. THE SACRIFICE 
Fifty workers stayed back to pump sea water in the N-reactors. How will they ever be repaid? 

7. THE TENDERNESS 
Restaurants cut prices. An unguarded ATM is left alone. The strong cared for the weak. 

8. THE TRAINING 
The old & the children, everyone knew exactly what to do. And they did just that. 

9. THE MEDIA 
They showed magnificent restraint in the bulletins. No silly reporters. Only calm reportage. 

10. THE CONSCIENCE 
When the power went off in a store, people put things back on the shelves & left quietly

The Red Cross has already launched efforts in Japan. Visitwww.RedCross.org or text REDCROSS to 90999 to donate $10 from your phone.

UNICEF is coordinating efforts to help the children of Japan. Visit their website to donate 100 percent of your desired amount to their fund designated for victims of the earthquake or text JAPAN to 864233 to donate $10.

The International Medical Corps is responding to the health needs of the disaster's victims. To donate or learn about other ways you can contribute to its medical response, visitInternationalmedicalcorps.org. Also, text MED to 80888 from any mobile phone to give $10.

The Japan Earthquake and Tsunami Relief Fund was launched at www.GlobalGiving.org to collect funds that will be distributed to numerous relief organizations to help victims of the earthquake. It has raised over $100,000, particularly from concerned Twitter users from around the globe. T

The Salvation Army personnel has organized efforts in Tokyo and has sent a team to help the severely damaged city of Sendai, Japan. To contribute to earthquake relief, text 'JAPAN' or 'QUAKE' to 80888 and make a $10 donation or visit their website atwww.SalvationArmyUSA.org.

Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), an organization that is set up for rapid response medical help has "plans to support a team of six psychologists who will treat survivors of the devastating earthquake and tsunami that hit northeast Japan March 11.

For the past 12 days, a 12-person MSF team has been treating patients with chronic diseases in one of the areas worst affected by the disasters. A psychologist was also sent in earlier this week to evaluate mental health needs.

'Many people now are in a phase of acute stress disorder, which is a totally natural response to this level of trauma,” said Ritsuko Nishimae, a clinical psychologist working with the MSF team in Minami Sanriku. ' If they are not able to get proper support psychologically, there is an increased possibility that they could develop post-traumatic stress disorder (P.T.S.D),” said the psychologist." To learn more about the organization's efforts or make a donation, visitDoctorswithoutborders.org.

Rescuers from the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW - www.ifaw.org) have mobilized to Japan to conduct an assessment and assist with animal rescue efforts following the devastating earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan. They are encouraging us to support their efforts through donations, which will be used to buy pet food, veterinary supplies, vaccines and other necessities for animals needing help.

Judy Chang, head of PayPal's nonprofit group, announced that transaction fees incurred by money transfers to US 501(c)(3) organizations (or charities registered with the Canada Revenue Agency) between March 11 and April 10 will aid relief efforts in Japan.

There are many other organizations who are offering aid to the Japanese people. Use the power of your blog to continue to keep the focus on Japan and the people in need. Every post and every dollar donated does make a difference.