Time to Reflect

A lot of things happen.
A lot of things happen and remain unexplained.
Many things make us ask ourselves: Why me?

These past few days have been a time for deep reflection, for observing, analyzing, examining the details, taking deep breaths, crying, and giving thanks. Because what has been happening in my country, Venezuela, is something that has affected many of us, but it’s also an event that has allowed us to witness the wonders of the world.

Although I feel it sounds a bit cruel to think this way, since out there are people who have lost their families—orphaned children, mothers who have lost their children—and there are those who left the country to provide a better life for their loved ones and now will never be able to see them again.

In this regard, I’ve been watching through my cell phone screen and on social media the massive movement that has emerged in response to this situation, and it’s so heartening to see that there’s still some humanity and empathy left, and how so many people from all over the country have come together to focus on caring for and helping those who have been affected, as well as assisting with rescue efforts.

This is a process that hurts us all, especially knowing that there is a dark side to the situation that few of us dare to discuss for fear of our safety. I also believe it will be a difficult process to get through for those who experienced all of this firsthand, as well as for those who lost their material possessions and their families.

Even so, in the midst of all this—and after spending three days immersed in the news and grieving over everything that’s happening—I’ve reached the point where I feel a commitment and a moral duty to get up every day to give thanks for another day of life, to fulfill my responsibilities and commitments, and above all, to be true to myself—to work hard to be well, to feel good, and to finally achieve the many things I’ve always had in mind.

That is why, if at any point I felt like I’d lost my way, I believe it is my duty to work and explore every path to find my way back, because my mind is consumed by thoughts of those who were buried alive and would have given anything for one last chance to make the most of their lives.

Although, I must confess that, on the other hand, I may be succumbing to a sense of guilt and now feel that I might be wasting my life, when that deceased mother will no longer see her son or daughter grow up. This is really overwhelming, and amid all my thoughts, I try to find the most reasonable one and believe that I have a strong commitment to enjoy this thing we call life in a healthy way.

• The images shown are ones I edited in Canva.
• I'm using a translation tool to translate this post.