On Sunday, October 2, a drunk driver took the lives of five young students standing at a bus stop in the centre of Bratislava… This tragedy shook the whole of Slovakia. We deeply feel for the parents and beloved of those innocent young people, suddenly thrown into an agony of pain.

When life strikes inexplicably, we are dumbfounded. The world as if lost its meaning. Existential questions float to the surface of our suffering souls. What is the point of life? How is it possible that someone can live healthy and wealthy for many years while another’s life is extinguished in one unfortunate moment? How can a parent come to terms with the death of their beloved child?

Our thoughts can wander further. In our neighboring country, Ukraine, the deaths of beloved children and parents happen every day. People hurt tremendously. All around the world, pointless and cruel deaths happen every day. Should that leave us hopeless and despairing…?

I wish we all honor those who die by living our lives to our fullest potential. I wish we all understood what real priorities are. I wish we would embed gratitude, mindfulness, and love towards others (and ourselves) into our characters. I long to see the revolution of fire of hope and love, charity and solidarity. Let us start in our families. Substitute sibling bickering and parent discontent and frustration with patience and understanding of the needs of the others. Let us listen to each other’s hearts.

Am I a Utopian? Or will you join me?

 

 

 

 

this picture is a work of art of Steven Hylands