Over the past few weeks, I couldn't help but be struck with the contradictions all around us in our global society. In particular, the tragedy of one of the world's poorest countries, Haiti, as it is being plagued by a natural catastrophe of untold proportions. While on the other side of the globe in modern day Dubai, the world's tallest building at 2,717 feet, the Burj Khalifa, was being dedicated.

If there is a law of fairness, then it certainly does not apply to Haiti, a once-beautiful island paradise in the Caribbean. Over the centuries, this former slave colony has suffered almost unfathomable strife and misery. But despite all of this misfortune, the spirit of the Haitian people lives on. There is a large Haitian population in Boston, I enjoy hearing their exotic French-accented English (sometimes even by accident finding myself adopting their manner of speaking. When I do, my kids kick me in the shins.). There is a poetry to their speech. 

I have great faith in these folks; they are dauntless and so full of pride in their nation, despite the great poverty and decades of corruption. Haiti's strength is its people. They will likely rise from the ashes. On a recent NPR interview, one of the leading government figures explained that this natural disaster should be viewed as an opportunity for his country to get a fresh start. How is that for optimism and vision? Port au Prince, the capital city, stands in rubble, its streets are rife with chaos with thousands dead and many more thousands unaccounted for and yet, this person sees the possibility for hope.

Perhaps the most wondrous miracle occurred when the rescue squads searching the ruins of fallen office buildings and ramshackle homes, hospitals and schools came across a cry from the basement below a pile of rubble and debris. There they found an infant unscathed where others lay buried. The child was fine more than 72 hours after the quake struck. This miracle has been repeated many times, as more survivors are rescued against overwhelming odds against such outcomes. The human will to survive presents itself each day in Haiti. At times like these, a country can develop a reputation for triumph amidst tragedy. There are many miracles around us. Man is at his best when events are seemingly at their worst. This is proving true in Haiti as the world's aid and emergency health care organizations convene in unison to help. This spirit of generosity must continue for years if Haiti is to be rebuilt.

Perhaps some of the wealth of Dubai may find itself flowing to Haiti, if for no other reason than this nation of awesome wealth has so much while Haiti has so little. Something to think about. Dubai is searching for an identity as a new urban center. Despite some setbacks caused by the world's economic slowdown, this city growing out of the desert has the potential for greatness. How great would it be for its reputation if Dubai were to spend some of the money planned for city expansion to rebuild Haiti? This is how sister cities are made and cultural bridges are built. This is also when true greatness is born.