Providence or chance?

A profound quote often shared by my late father-in-law, a double graduate of his time with a balanced perspective, comes to my mind. “There is the hand of providence even in the falling of a sparrow.” The recent air crash, which shook us to the core, seems to echo this sentiment. Not that I subscribe to his view, but amid the devastating explosion, a solitary survivor emerging unscathed, walking out with an almost surreal sense of normalcy, despite cameras swarming around him. Was it a miracle, the hand of providence, a stroke of luck, or the precisely timed mechanics of the machine and human resilience? Whatever the reason, it’s truly wondrous. As we witness this one life spared, do we rejoice in their survival or mourn the loss of hundreds of others?

If it’s providence then why only the choicest one? Do any of us have any answers? Close on the heels was another sorrowful one of a multibillionaire celeb dying after swallowing a bee. Death is a certainty but the modes and time are so unpredictable and weird.

The mysteries of fate and the unpredictability of life. Why do some lives seem to be spared while others are cut short? Why do circumstances beyond our control shape our destinies? These are indeed profound and complex questions that have puzzled philosophers, theologians, and everyday people for centuries. The contrast between the air crash survivor and the sudden death of a celebrity due to an unexpected incident, like swallowing a bee, highlights the capricious nature of life. These events remind us that, despite our achievements, wealth, or status, we are all subject to the uncertainties of life.

Ultimately, the human experience is filled with mysteries that may never be fully understood. Perhaps the key lies not in seeking definitive answers but in embracing the complexities and fragilities of life, and finding meaning and purpose within them.

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