In my collection of paper cuttings, I just happened to read a piece which makes me reflect further. Mr. Mohammed Zaini, 70-year-old Indonesian, was found alive after spending 11 days amid the debris of his destroyed house in the tsunami disaster of December 26, 2004. 

Admitted in the military hospital in Bandas Aceh for chest injury, he said: “The ground shook, the house wall collapsed, it seemed that I was floating as the water carried me away before a wall collapsed on me. I did not know how I survived. I only drank water around me and I could not move my body. It seemed I lost consciousness several times. I felt I had been fed by birds; my wife and six children succumbed to the fury of the ravaging tsunami.”

Mr. Zaini survived because of his strong will to live in spite of all the negative and painful background. He could not get any information about his dear family people including his wife and the little ones. He felt strong anxiety to live even for few more hours. That kept him alive for 11 days, when some people took him out of the debris and water. 

Our strong will to live amid so many problems is the only strength that keeps us on. This we realize when we are caught up in health issues, tension in family, in the society, etc. Sometimes it appears there is no reason to hang on, not able to fight for, or being under severe threat of many kinds. 

In the writings of Rabindranath Tagore, we read beautiful and soul stirring points to reflect. These reveal the great love and value of life: “Thou hast made me endless, such is thy pleasure. This frail vessel thou emptiest again and again, and fillet it ever with fresh life….Life of my life, I shall ever try to keep my body pure, knowing that thy loving touch is upon my limbs….I ask for a moment’s indulgence  to sit by thy side. The works that I have in my hand I will finish afterwards….Pluck this little flower and take it. Delay not! I fear lest it droop and drop into the dust… Though its color is not deep and its smell is faint, use this flower in thy service and pluck it while there is time (Collected poems and plays of Rabindranath Tagore). 

In Judaism the creative words of God give life to all; everything came into being at his word…In the teachings of Jesus we have the spirit that gives life. ‘The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.’ According to the advice of Gautama Buddha, “Life is dear to all.” Jainism advises “to have benevolence towards all living beings”. Sikhism is very strong when it teaches: “Cursed be eating, cursed be sleep, cursed be wearing the clothes, cursed be the body and cursed be the family, if one attains not God in this life; for if once this rare chance is lost, every purpose of life is wasted.” Prophet Mohammed cautioned: “Do not take life which God has made sacred, except for a just cause.” According to Goethe: “Life is the childhood of eternity.” For the modern philosopher Kierkegaard: “Life must be understood backwards, but it must be lived forwards”. We write the numbers forwards but always looking backwards. (Life in) Youth is blunder; manhood is struggle; old age a regret” -- Benjamin Disraeli.