10 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 and 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 and 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 and 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 and left quietly.