How to Survive A Storm

Most of us know that penguins are the only bird species that can withstand the coldest of cold condition in the Arctic region. Their body structure enables them to generate heat by shutting down functions of body organs when not in use and retaining it with their high-fat layers of skin. But what I later just learned (courtesy of a National Geographic feature story) is that even with their natural ability to survive the cold, they can still become vulnerable whenever a snow storm comes with howling gustiness of super cold wind enveloping their habitat.

So how do they go through those storms?

This is the most interesting part. They do not take cover under the floor of ice or even dive underwater. They do not hide behind a glacier wall.

They stand outside facing the storm.

But they don’t do this by themselves or in small groups.
They do this altogether, as in one colony, staying very close to each other. According to these researchers, the penguins may very well be shielding each other from the brunt of the cold winds and at the same time, sharing their own heat to each. They know that their very own survival depends on the others.

I can relate to the weak penguins in the middle of the colony.

A few years ago, my family went through a severe storm that put us in such unchartered pain we never know. I can honestly say that without the warmth of the people who stayed with us, wept with us, condole with us, and loved us in their own ways, there was a good chance we would have faltered. We maintained a “safe-distance” from God but God himself made His presence more felt. We survived because of God’s love through these kind-hearted people. Day by day, we still undergo healing even if we already regained most of our emotional strength.

Do you know someone going through a storm in his/her life?
Give warmth.
Say a kind word.
Give a loving advice.
Or just be there to listen or be a shoulder to cry on.

Are you going through a storm yourself?
Don’t put on a mask and pretend you are OK.
Call someone.
Ask someone to stay with you.
Confide to your trusted friend.
Accept the warmth of other people.
You don’t have to go through it alone.

If the penguins with their natural ability needed each other to survive a storm, then we human beings should and, most certainly, must also have one another in times of need. It’s just the way God created us, - that we become extensions and recipients of His love through one another (1 John 4:7-8).

God bless.



Cathechism of the Catholic Church

1878 All men are called to the same end: God himself. There is a certain resemblance between the unity of the divine persons and the fraternity that men are to establish among themselves in truth and love. Love of neighbor is inseparable from love for God.

1879 The human person needs to live in society. Society is not for him an extraneous addition but a requirement of his nature. Through the exchange with others, mutual service and dialogue with his brethren, man develops his potential; he thus responds to his vocation.