This past week, we were hit with Hurricane Debby.

Sarasota didn’t get a direct hit because the storm stayed about 70 miles offshore.

But it was such a powerful storm that we had flooding like we’ve never had before.

Mother Nature Can Be Fierce

Many neighborhoods were completely underwater. Some of those neighborhoods are still currently underwater, and many homes cannot be saved.

Because of the water, over 500 people had to be rescued by boat from their homes.

Cars were destroyed, lives were lost, and it’s like nothing we’ve ever seen in Sarasota.

We’ve had storms before in Sarasota, but the amount of water that came from Hurricane Debby was unbelievable.

Some areas near us had over 20 inches of rain.

Creeks that have never risen like this before pushed far beyond their capacity and flooded everything around them and beyond.

Sadly, many of the people in those “beyond” areas don’t even have flood insurance because they technically live outside of a floodplain.

For many people, everything they have spent their entire lives working for was lost to the storm.

With that kind of devastation, it’s hard to imagine how people are able to move forward.

But somehow, people always find a way to move forward despite what hardships that come.

Sometimes We Get Lucky

We were very fortunate with Hurricane Debby.

Our roof sprung a couple of leaks, but we’ll be able to get those fixed with relative ease.

There were also a lot of downed tree limbs and palm fronds.

But compared to others around us, we were definitely spared the brunt of it.

So, when I see the videos and pictures of other people’s homes—people I know and love—it’s heartbreaking to me.

And I want to say that I’m grateful that we were spared.

But gratitude is a hard thing to express when so many others are struggling with the aftermath.

Still, gratitude is exactly what the world needs when it comes to these experiences.

Gratitude Is Expressed in Our Actions

So, how do you move forward in gratitude when there is so much devastation around you and other people are not as fortunate?

The answer is simple—find a need and fill it.

Whether it’s giving of your time or giving of your money, it’s showing up for the people who need it.

I believe that the best way to move forward in these circumstances is stepping into the community with helping hands and a willing heart.

I’ve seen so many people step up during this time. There have been people offering meals, opening their homes, and contributing money to those who have lost everything.

And it’s such a beautiful thing to see.

When we come together as a community, there’s nothing we can’t accomplish together.

And the driving force behind it all is gratitude.

Those who were spared are grateful and want to show that gratitude by giving their time and resources to help others who were not as fortunate.

Giving back can bring so much joy in the process.

At the same time, those who have lost everything to Mother Nature feel a deep sense of gratitude for those who are willing to give.

When the community comes to the rescue, relief is felt, and hope is once again restored.

On both sides, gratitude is at the heart of it all.

Gratitude is How We Move Forward

Often, when people are spared from something terrible, a lot of the time, they develop a sense of guilt because of the people who were not spared.

But feeling guilty because the storm didn’t hit your house can keep you stuck and unable to move forward.

The best way to move forward in challenging circumstances is to be grateful for what you have without feeling guilty that it wasn’t worse.

Then take that gratitude and let it motivate you to go out there and help those who may not have been as fortunate as you.

The goal is to be a person who has empathy. Be someone who is willing to help when other people need you.

It’s about giving what you can and helping where you can.

Most of all, it’s about caring.

So, I will be grateful for my two small roof leaks without feeling guilty that it wasn’t worse.

And then, I’ll get to work and let my gratitude be the driving force to do some good in the world.