Amidst the monotonous stroll of daily life, it is easy to forget what happened. People never inquired, so I never remembered. Friendly conversations seldom reached that socially awkward barrier. After all, the “Great East Japan Earthquake,” was the fourth most powerful earthquake in the world.

Diligently writing Kanji—Japanese characters—I thought my teacher was joking when she abruptly began to pray. The prevalence of earthquakes in Japan habituated me to a point where earthquakes often went unnoticed. However, after hearing the principal, scream “get under your desks!” the ensuing chaos confirmed the weight of the situation. Students flooded from their classes, ignoring the screams of teachers who told them to stay under their desks. Once outside, unnatural shifts in the ground as well as the explosions of buildings in the distance made me feel as though the world was truly ending. After about an hour, the earthquake was over, yet the damage was done. Both school buildings and apartment complexes all around my city, were utterly destroyed. On the news tsunamis rose to record heights of over 100 feet, and nuclear factories experienced catastrophic meltdowns. This was Japan on March 11th, 2011.

Then I was back in America. Returning from a decade of living in Japan, I felt as though my passport was the only proof of my American citizenship. Soon, I adjusted to my life in America and the reason I was there became just a memory. Spending time with friends who lived in large houses with fancy pools eventually led me to be embarrassed by my families low income. To me, our income was never enough when my friends’ families earned triple that amount. However, one day, after reminiscing with one of my childhood friends in Japan, I was reminded of the earthquake. Of the children who are right now, orphans. Of the parents who now wake up everyday without their kids. Of the thousands dead and the countless crippled. I realized in shame, that although I do not have as much as those around me, I only compare myself with those who have much than with those who lost much. This realization has helped reinforce a powerful principle for me: that we are always given more than we realize.

After my perspective transformed, a motivation arose within me. One that inspired me to help those in need—people who live in poverty and pain. This led me to strive and eventually become president of a non-charity organization known as Christ In Today which has donated and supported various minority groups across China. However, as I move on to college I hope to pursue a career where I will be allowed to further provide monetary and social help to the destitute. My utmost desire would be to make a difference in the lives of those who need it most, all while providing that which I have been gracefully bestowed: a thankful heart. Although many people often tell me that my dreams and aspirations for a lifestyle dictated by the needs of others lack comfort and wealth, I believe that it is a cause worth living for, and no amount of mockery nor doubt will change that.

Although the “Great East Japan Earthquake” has given the country of Japan much pain, personally, I know that if I had not experienced the earthquake, then I would be a very different person than I am today. Thus, it is because of the most disastrous event in the history of Japan that I have been given the most wonderful gift known to man: a desire to change the lives of those who need it most.