I’m writing this editorial from my home office on a glorious autumn day where I am refreshed by a gentle breeze, have sunlight filtering in and where all my needs are met – I have power, water, shelter, food and sanitation. Today I consider myself truly lucky.

But my heart is saddened as my thoughts go to everyone in Christchurch still dealing with the aftermath of the earthquake and to everyone in Japan, including Japanese in New Zealand who will be mourning the destruction and loss of life in their homeland.

We live in very unpredictable times.

For those of us not directly affected by either disaster, it would be possible to give a donation and then continue on with our everyday lives. However, I believe something more can come from this situation and that is, that we can make a change in our lives in some way to give hope for the future.

I think back to how the destruction of war changed people’s attitudes forever. People became more accepting of others around them. They got to know their neighbours and helped anyone wherever they could, from emotionally supporting people to sharing what they had.

I think the impact of these earthquakes will have a similar effect if we allow them to and it will make us better people for it.

While we have seen a tremendous response to appeals, it is not always about saying how great we are doing, or for that matter, what we are doing, but just in some quiet way getting on and making a difference. It might be a simple act of showing compassion to people you know have been affected, and to any Japanese you know or meet. But it could go as far as launching a major fundraising effort for some of the not-so-well-known charities that are working equally as hard as the bigger ones to make a difference. I recently discovered shelter box (www.shelterbox.org.nz) which provides a box (with basic survival gear including a tent, food, water treatment equipment etc) that is usually dropped into areas affected by disaster before rescue teams can get in. And there are other charities too worth finding out about. The thing is it doesn’t have to be about money though, you could always volunteer your time and skills which is something I’ve noticed a lot of people in our hospitality sector have been doing in Christchurch; good on them.

What gift of hope can you give to the future?

Cynthia Daly, editor

Food & Beverage Today