my thoughts after the tragic accident

It’s Sunday and somehow I find it hard to write a regular Sunday post, in light of recent events. All Germany is in deep mourning, and no one can really understand what actually happened. Neither can I.
Somehow it all seems too ..
Unreal.
Unbelievable.
And too horrible to be true.

In fact, I was thinking for a long time whether I should comment on the subject, but it got me thinking so much this week that I just couldn’t help sharing my thoughts with you here. After all, it’s Sunday. And on Sunday I used to share my thoughts with you – whether positive or negative.
The reason why I did not want to express my opinion was the fact that the subject was already discussed virtually everywhere, even on blogs.
Sometimes I even had the feeling that some people used the subject to promote themselves and to attract new readers, and the only thing they cared about was their benefit. I mean: seriously?!
When the tragedy turns into a kind of image campaign, I feel like – sorry – puking on their face.

All of a sudden there are people who wish they had known the victims, or others who bring their own fear to the forefront. The topic is ubiquitous, and I ask myself again and again, what the victims’ families and (real) friends must feel, who have to see how such tragedies are exploited for getting profit.

Where is compassion? Empathy?
However, I also find it hard to understand those, who downplay the disaster by using slogans like “People die every day around the world and no one cares”. As if this fact could make the tragedy less… tragic.

I must admit that it’s not easy for me to find the right words here, because I knew none of the victims and I can’t even imagine how it feels to be a part of this terrible story. I haven’t the slightest idea how it feels. And to be honest, I don’t want to know that, because even the first thought of it hurts me so much that I do not want to proceed.

After all, I feel sorry for the victims, their families and loved ones – but I also feel gratitude for my fulfilled life and for each new day.
Disasters like this make us painfully aware of how short the life is, and of the fact that it can suddenly come to an end. They make us realize that death spares no one, and that some things can’t be foreseen.
I know it sounds like a platitude, but it is no less true for that:
Enjoy life, it’s later than you think (Chinese proverb)

It is sad that it is precisely such tragic events that make us realize it so clearly, but perhaps it is the only lesson we can draw from them in retrospect – every one of us.
There is no place for negative thoughts and feelings in life.
Maybe it’s about time to call your family and tell them one more time that you love them, and tell your friends how much you appreciate them.
Perhaps it’s about time to turn your dreams into reality.
Perhaps it’s about time to settle the disputes.
Maybe it’s even about time to rethink our concept of life, and I’m pretty sure it’s time to live NOW, instead of living only in TOMORROW. Because sometimes there is no tomorrow.


My condolences to all the families and friends of the victims.