As I pass by Pyay Road in Kamaryut Township, I am instantly attracted by the immaculately-tended grounds.
I’m not disappointed to soon learn that this is actually the Rangoon War Cemetery.
The final resting place of 1,381 Allied soldiers (of whom 86 are unidentified) who died in Burma during World War II.
Although largely morbid because of the feelings of despair and sadness they carry within themselves, cemeteries and final resting places are one of the most unexpected places I’ve always found inspiration.
They are a welcome interruption to the ‘me me and me alone’ life that is commonplace outside the cemetery boundaries.
But I find war cemeteries more inspiring.
Within their walls rest the remains of people who sacrificed their lives in defense of a cause.
they all died for free men
Whether they believed in that cause (or not) is a story for another day.
Some of the graves are marked with the details of the soldier buried therein.
Seeing a couple names of Kenyan soldiers who died defending Burma from the Japanese invasion was particularly a moving one for me. I mean, these brothers died in the absence of loved ones to even hold their hands and say “it’s gonna be alright.”
And then they were buried thousands of miles away from home. And sometimes not even their loved ones know that they rest here.
For the unidentified soldiers or those whose remains were either never found, memorial pillars are used to commemorate them.
You’re probably wondering what all this has to do with seizing the moment.
Every time I visit a war cemetery, the single question I hear is:
What question were you born to answer?
War heroes solve the problem of quantifying the cost of conflict.
With all the taboos and mysteries that surround death, and dead bodies, and burial places, few people ever pose to take their thoughts beyond these taboos, and mysteries.
Too many people spend their lives looking for money or wondering how they can become rich quickly when they should be providing solutions for the problems that were meant to make them great.
You must take advantage of the resources, talents and networks at your disposal to solve problems. Then and only then can you make legitimate wealth.
Maybe you’re waiting for the perfect moment to start that side hustle. Or the right time to quit that job or relationship where you’re merely tolerated and move on to a place where you will be celebrated.
And that is where cemeteries come in.
Well, cemeteries are full of people who waited their entire lives for that perfect moment.
The perfect moment to say I Love You.
The perfect moment to say I quit… enough is enough.
The perfect moment to say I’m all game.
The perfect moment to start that business.
The perfect moment to …. (fill in the blanks).
But the perfect moment never came.
Time cut them short.
I take a few steps back, and go through the list of names one more time.
I wonder what the lives of each of these soldiers was like before they met their fate.
What memories did they leave in the hearts of those that loved them? Did they get a chance to take care of business before leaving for that far-away country? Or did they leave with lots of open question marks?
Some day, others will ask similar questions about us.
And the only answers they’ll have are the legacies we shall have left behind.
As I leave the gates of Rangoon War Cemetery, I can’t help but wonder how well I’d have done were I to rest today, and join these heroes. Whether or not my life would have answered the questions I was born to answer.
There and then, I make a commitment to live today like it was my last.
To take on risks and not live life on a pedestal.
To risk rejection for a chance at happiness.
To go for what I want. And not sit back, wait and some day leave this world with a boat load of regret.
I submit to you to take some time today and ponder about the legacy you want to leave behind.
I’m certain if these heroes could speak they’d have said “honey, go for it”.
After all, they are a living testament that death is the greatest equalizer of us all.
And that one day, it will knock, and come in – invited, or not.
So take a moment today and think about how well you’re living your life. Are you seizing the moment? Are you answering the questions your life was meant to answer? Or are there things that need your attention but you’ve thrown to the back banner?
