Photo by yellowj
Walking to the grocery store I hear the sirens of a fire truck echoing on its way to rescue those whose lives, at any moment, may become a precious memory of yesterday. Seconds later, out of the corner of my eye, I notice the blur of a police car speeding towards the scene in which a vehicle drove by, and its occupants sprayed little projectiles through the walls of a house hoping to take the lives of as many as possible.
Can you walk the city without hearing sounds that are signs for the end of people’s lives?
I continue on my way, to buy my groceries.
Moments later, I’m startled by thundering bangs of mortar shells leaping into another nation, and the whistle of missiles rushing through the air whose target is human beings.
When I finally thought it was all over, I hear the ground rumbling and buildings tumbling thousands of miles away. Only sounds to follow are screams of fear, cries for help and rescue workers rummaging through the debris hoping to find those who still have breath.
You don’t have to look far to recognize the precarious nature of life; how precious it really is.
Because of all these reasons and more, this is why you must live.
Photo by Nicholas_T
hey i love this piece!
yea we have to treasure each moment of our lives cos we are so lucky to be alive in this world of uncertainties=)
It’s so easy to take life for granted. Being threatened, unfortunately, is one effective way to get kicked out of that mode. Life shouldn’t be too easy, as an unchallenged life is one that is not worth living.
ari
While it’s easy to be scared of how fragile life is, it’s very true that the best we can do is to live life to the fullest.
What a heart felt post. When I hear sirens, I give my children a few extra hugs and I’m reminded to dream big, live large, and appreciate everything in my life.
@ Suki: True. Well said.
@ Ari Koiniuma: Taking life for granted is definitely easy.
@ Vered: That is the best we can do, I agree.
@ Stacey: That’s a very nice attitude.
Great post- Bamboo
I agree with Stacey- When you hear the sirens- you breathe a sigh of relief that it doesn’t involve you and your loved ones- and it also stimulates a compassion for those it does involve.
Hi Bamboo: Sometimes you take for granted things like living in a peaceful nation, but there’s so many countries in the world that live in constant upheaval. Just next door in Colombia they have tons of drug-related killings; thank goodness there’s an almost impenetrable jungle on our border.
@ Patti: Ideally, it should stir compassion in the one hearing the sirens. Good point.
@ Marelisa: Very interesting. “impenetrable jungle” on your border. That is really interesting. I’m going to have to research that on the net.
You’re so right. Many areas of the world people live in a climate that is very very different from our own. We are pretty oblivious to it.
Hi Bamboo – This is a great reminder of how important it is to cherish our life and live each day to the fullest. I’m also reminded how important it is to tell our friends and family we love them. One never knows…….
Hi
I live in South Africa. There is a huge amount of crime – and violent crime. It is basically not a safe place.
Everyone knows somebody who has been murdered or the victim of violent crime – if they haven’t been so themselves.
Here there is no respect for life. It is hard to believe that, but it is a fact.
The newspapers make me sick with their grusome headlines. I don’t look at them if I can help it. I find that the people around me read on, talk on about it and become completely numb to the horror.
Juliet
@ Barbara: True, one never does know. Good point.
@ Juliet: Those are some very interesting facts about South Africa, unfortunate though it is.
Interesting perspective. They become complacent. I do too. It’s easy to become that way, unfortunately.