bhaskar saikia

Life often feels abundant, with time stretching endlessly before us. We make plans, set goals and envision futures filled with experiences and milestones. Yet, moments of disaster remind us how fragile life truly is. The recent 7.7-magnitude earthquake in Myanmar is one such reminder—a jolt to our sense of permanence, a stark confrontation with the suddenness of death.

On March 28, 2025, a powerful earthquake struck central Myanmar near Mandalay, causing widespread devastation. A 6.4-magnitude aftershock followed, leading to the collapse of buildings and significant loss of life. In mere moments, lives were upended, futures erased and communities left grappling with the weight of loss.

Such tragedies challenge our perception of time.

Life itself is not necessarily short—but its unpredictability gives the illusion that it is. One moment, we are making plans and in the next, everything changes.

The suddenness of death forces us to question: Are we truly living or merely existing?

Seneca once wrote, “It is not that we have a short time to live, but that we waste a lot of it.” We become entangled in routines, distractions and expectations, postponing the things that truly matter. We delay expressing love, pursuing passions and savoring the present, assuming there will always be time.

Yet, we are in the Age of Experience—a time when people are realizing that meaning is not found in possessions, but in moments. More than ever, we seek to feel, to explore, to immerse ourselves in the richness of life. The world is shifting, recognizing that fulfillment lies not in what we own, but in the memories we create.

So let’s live—not in haste, but with intention; not in fear, but with dreams.

Let’s travel, learn and embrace the unknown.

Let’s love deeply, speak truthfully and chase experiences that set our souls on fire. Because life, though it may seem long, is unpredictable—and that is precisely what makes it so precious.