A Look From Afar

Typically, the content and topics covered in here in Heating Up touch on all things HVACR. They may delve toward green building, the HCFC refrigerant phaseout or even why climate-change legislation is important for the average technician to stay on top of (and believe me, it is).

But the dramatic images and the sheer magnitude of what has happened in the aftermath of the earthquake that rocked Haiti has given me pause to think about what matters most. I'm guessing that for a lot of you out there, it's done the same. Haiti truly is a third-world country located not that far from the southern tip of Florida (incidentally, the same place I'll be next week for the AHR Expo). From corruption and dictators to an almost constant string of natural disasters, this island nation has been beset by some of the most difficult conditions on Earth.

And yet you hear stories of perseverence and hope, of people surviving and trying to make sense of it all (as if THAT is even possible). And amidst those ghastly images of bodies being removed by heavy equipment (certainly one of the most chilling "60 Minutes" episodes I've ever seen), you hear about children hopeful when they see U.S. troops helping to dispense food, or doctors seeing a woman smile when they can help their child.

And at the end of the day, it is those small things, those little triumphs, that all of us can relate to because they make us all human. Take a moment to think about what those little successes are for you, and share them with your friends, family and colleagues. Then take a minute (if you haven't already) to text "Haiti" to 90999 on your mobile phone. You'll donate $10 to the American Red Cross to help in the relief effort - and instead of looking from afar, you'll be helping neighbors in your own backyard.