Speaker's Corner: May 25, 2008

From us to you
By Manal Ismail, Notes Staff Reporter

Why?

We've seen it in the news everywhere — world disasters. The earthquake in China, the cyclone that hit Myanmar. Even the recent fires right here in Dubai. Almost every day, a disaster hits the world, and whether it's the result of nature or human acts the consequence is the loss of thousands of lives.

I'm certain that whenever a tragedy strikes an individual, whether it's death or loss the first thought that crosses his or her mind is 'why?' After all, take a look at Myanmar for example. The people there were already suffering from famine and disease. Of all the places in the world this disaster could have hit, it had to be at a location that's severely lacking the resources it needs to rebuild itself — that's if there was anything worth rebuilding to begin with. I am certainly not indicating that it would have been better if this disaster had hit anywhere else — after all a disaster is a disaster and loss is loss. The value of human life does not vary. However, certain areas are more readily equipped to handle such crises so the number of human casualties would be drastically less. So why Myanmar?

Then take a look at China. It is one of the most heavily populated regions in the world. People are packed into small areas in a manner that the slightest tragedy would swallow thousands of human lives. And that's exactly what happened when the earthquake hit. Thousands of people were swallowed alive. Some of them are lie stuck under the rubble, suffering pain and hunger. I can't help but to wonder, what are their thoughts as they are stuck day after day beneath the ground? Are they even in a state of mind to think at all?

Maybe the reasons for this are beyond our understanding. I don't know. What I do know is that everyone's mortality is certain. How and when each of us will reach our end is unknown. It could be today, or it could be 50 years from now — but an end does exist. And with this in mind, every moment and every day of your life should be lived as if it's your last. For some that may mean climbing Mount Everest, for others it may mean praying. Whatever it is though, make an effort to do it. Only by seeking happiness and inner peace can life be truly worth living.