I just want to share my reflections about how life has been lately and how things have changed so quickly. Life used to feel so simple and predictable. Every day had its own routine. I would wake up early, get ready for school, and see my classmates. We would talk, laugh, and sometimes complain about how difficult our lessons were. Now, after what happened, everything feels different. I often find myself thinking about how life would look if that disaster never struck. Would I still be joking with my friends in the classroom or walking home peacefully after class without worries about safety or fear of aftershocks.
Sometimes I sit quietly and imagine how our classroom looked before the earthquake. I can still see the faces of my classmates, the sound of laughter, and the voice of our teacher explaining the lesson. Everything seemed fine and steady back then. But one night changed everything. The ground shook, and so did our hearts. That experience taught me how fragile life really is. It reminded me that the things we think will always be there can disappear in just a few seconds. The earthquake did not only destroy buildings, it also changed how I see life and how I value the moments I used to ignore.
When I think about what happened, I realize that life has a way of reminding us about reality. It teaches us that no matter how much we plan or how careful we are, there are still things beyond our control. Sometimes life gives us hard lessons to open our eyes and help us grow. It is not always what we want it to be, and it will not always follow our plans. Maybe this is its way of telling us to stay humble, to remember that we are not in charge of everything. It is a hard truth to accept, but one that helps us see what truly matters.
I also believe that what happened is a way for God to remind us that He is real and that He is always with us. When everything was fine, I sometimes forgot to pray or give thanks. But when the quake happened, it was the first thing I did. I prayed and asked for protection for my family and everyone around us. In those moments of fear, I realized that faith gives comfort more than anything else. Maybe this is God’s way of teaching us to include Him in our daily lives, not just when we need help but even in ordinary days when everything seems okay.
This crisis that we Filipinos are facing is painful, but it also shows how strong we are. Even in the middle of fear and sadness, people helped one another. I have seen stories of kindness, families sharing food, and strangers offering comfort. It reminded me that no matter how hard things get, there will always be hope as long as we care for each other. We might not understand why this happened, but I believe there is a reason behind it. Maybe the reason will not be clear right now, but someday we will look back and understand why it had to happen.
This calamity taught me to appreciate life more. Before, I used to worry about small things like unfinished homework or missing a fun event. Now, I see how lucky I am just to be alive, to have a roof over my head, and to have my family safe. It is true when people say that everything happens for a reason. Even though this experience was painful, it also taught us lessons that no classroom could ever teach. It showed us the value of faith, unity, and gratitude.
As I reflect on everything, I know that life will not always be smooth. There will be challenges that test our patience and courage. But I also know that these challenges help us grow stronger. The earthquake may have shaken our world, but it also built something new within us. It built faith, strength, and hope.
The lesson I learned from all of this is that life is unpredictable and that we should never take anything for granted. We must learn to appreciate the people and the moments we have while they are still here. God allows us to experience hardships not to break us, but to remind us of His presence and to help us become better and stronger individuals. No matter how difficult life gets, we should always keep our faith, stay strong, and believe that everything will fall into place in time.