The Colorado shooting - when trouble can come up from nowhere…

No one who was at the theatre where 12 people were gunned down, thought for a moment that within minutes, a mad man would burst in through the door and start spraying the theatre with gun fire. Everyone who was there were there to see the much awaited movie Dark Knight Rises and fear of death was the last thing on their minds.

A few hours later, 12 people, youngest of whom is just six, one year older than my daughter, lay dead amidst mayhem and confusion. It didn’t take long for the trail of death and destruction left by someone who had to resort to this to get his high. But that is the absurdity of life; in the midst of it, we mourn death.

In the developed society, too many people are lonely and left in a capsule of confusion and depression. Family ties are sometimes not the strongest nor are they the most supportive. In a depressed economy, everyone, it seems, has their own battles to fight and survival is the name of the game. It is easy for someone depressed enough to resort to killing innocents in order to get attention, to do just that.

Killing spree

Even here at home, although we rarely have killers going on rampage with guns, we do have murders and killings that are sensational nevertheless. Many Sri Lankans also die in accidents than ever before. Reckless driving, lack of proper knowledge of road rules and too many vehicles on the road often are to blame.

Land disputes and romance related problems often result in blood-letting and mayhem here - women and children, as we have discovered shockingly, are often the victims.

But the real tragedy lies in the fact that trouble of this kind can creep upon you when least expected. It could be a theatre where no one expects someone to go on a killing spree or setting out on a simple drive not expecting to be involved in a major accident.

Mourners gather at a makeshift memorial across the street from the Century 16 movie theatre July 23, 2012 in Aurora, Colorado. The memorial was created for the victims that were killed during the mass shooting at the movie theatre last Friday. AFP

How ready are we to deal with unexpected tragedy - how are we able to bring together the pieces of lives shattered by unforeseen disaster. Can we find the peace within us to reconcile to trouble of the worst kind. Socially and morally, in a rat race such as the one displayed by the world at large today, no tragedy is worth waiting for. The caravan moves on and indeed it should - yet have we taken the time or the trouble to mourn someone’s loss or share the pain of someone who has faced the loss of a dear one. How ready are we to say we can understand because tragedy can happen anywhere to anyone.

Distraught families

Nothing in life is really trouble free - there will always be the spoilers in the rainbow. While it is absurd to be pre-occupied with what might happen or what can go wrong, it is imperative to be ready in case emergency does happen. Things can go wrong at the most unexpected time and sometimes, they will. Are we able to deal when circumstances change unexpectedly or when things go so wrong that we are unable to deal with it at once?

In Colorado, distraught families are still coming to terms with the loss of their loved ones. Fathers are unable to deal with the fact that they have to bury their young children who only days ago, were bursting with life.

Mothers have no words to share, knowing that their children would never return home again. Children have lost parents and friends have not had time to say good-byes. Such is life, living as we do in a fallen world.

As the world comes to grips with the tragedy that has unfolded in America, we can learn lessons, if we are willing, from every tragedy. Can we do our best today for ourselves, our families and friends. If we have a mere 24 hours to live and we know it in advance, how can we make it the best 24 hours we have ever lived.

That’s the way to live everyday - as if today is the last day of your life. That’s when you perform your best and treat others best.

When you think you have less time on earth, the more you want to do for others. The more you want to give of yourself and give your best. If there’s a lesson to learn from tragedy that can strike at the most unexpected time, that is the lesson.