At 2:30 AM today, I was jolted awake on the 7th floor of my hotel in Puerto Vallarta. A 6.2 magnitude earthquake had struck near Coalcomán, Michoacán, and the tremors reached far enough to make their presence felt even here. The experience left me reflecting deeply—not just on fear but on life’s unpredictability and our connection to nature.
From Fear to Awe
In the initial moments, fear took over—an instinctive reaction to the ground shifting beneath me. Growing up in the Philippines, earthquakes were an occasional part of life, but I’ve spent much of my adult life traveling and living in places where seismic activity is rare. That made this experience feel even more jarring.
But as the shaking subsided, something unexpected happened. My fear gave way to a sense of transcendence. I was struck by the immense power of the Earth—a force so vast it reminds us how small and fragile we truly are.
A Humbling Reminder
Earthquakes are a powerful metaphor for life. They shake us out of complacency and force us to confront the fact that nothing is guaranteed—not even the ground beneath our feet. They remind us that, while we build structures and routines to create stability, much of life remains outside our control. And yet, this unpredictability carries its own beauty.
In that brief moment, I felt an overwhelming sense of awe. It wasn’t just relief at being safe; it was a reminder of how much we rely on the Earth and how little we can control its movements. It wasn’t frightening anymore—it was humbling.
Lessons from the Earth
This experience left me with two takeaways:
- The Fragility of Assumptions: We often assume stability in our lives—whether it’s our daily routines, our plans, or even the ground we walk on. Earthquakes challenge that assumption and remind us to be present in the moment.
- The Need for Resilience: Just as buildings are designed to withstand tremors, we, too, need to build our own resilience. Whether it’s through emotional strength, adaptability, or a deep respect for nature, life calls for preparation and perspective.
Final Thoughts
The 2:30 AM earthquake shook me awake—both literally and figuratively. While I hope not to experience another tremor anytime soon, I’m grateful for the clarity it brought. It was a moment of both fear and transcendence, a brief but profound reminder of how connected we are to the Earth and its unpredictable rhythms.