There will be no LOLs posted this weekend out of respect for the victims of the Colorado Theater shooting and their loved ones. I have a few thoughts to share, then this page will be "dark" until Monday. We live in an increasingly crazed and twisted world. 'The evil that men do' has always existed but we live in a time when media technology not only exposes stories of violence and depravity, but overexposes it as well. Good news doesnt increase ratings or sell advertising space.
After 9/11 I found it very hard to watch shows depicting "blow 'em to hell" violence. While it may be make-believe on the screen, it still numbs us and desensitizes us in the clever disguise of entertainment. The same goes for reality television. Mindless entertainment about vapid people engaging in outrageous conflict boosts ratings. The global state of affairs and bad economies make us want to numb ourselves. I totally get that. Bad things happen to people all over the world every day, and we shake our heads, feel grief and anger, and then go back to sleep until the next tragedy.
Today, I implore you to ask yourself....Is this the world I want to live in? Columbine taught us some important lessons. It certainly taught law enforcement and emergency responders better procedures to act quickly, decisively, and safer at on-site situations. It taught us about bullying in schools, and the ease and access of weapons to under-age kids. It taught us that smart, troubled kids can fool authority figures when attempted help is required and given.
What have all the senseless acts of violence in the last 13 years taught us as a nation and individuals? I certainly dont have the answers to those questions, only my individual opinions. But one thing I know for certain is that we shouldnt have to be living in a world where these questions are even having to be pondered.
Ask yourself....Is this the world I want to live in? And then DONT go back to sleep!!!! WAKE UP!!! Wake up and look at the world around you and commit yourself to being part of a better world for yourselves and your children.
All of this is one of the main reason I refuse to allow negative comments and bashing on this page. Changing the world starts with one person making a stand. Changing the world starts with kindness, tolerance and understanding. Changing the world starts with saying, "No. I will not buy into hate, and fear, and ignorance."
This has nothing to do with politics or public policy. Regardless of party affiliation or social leaning to conservative or liberal, any human being on this planet can be kind and decent to their fellow human beings muddling through on this planet. Ahmed in the Middle East, Boris in Eastern Europe, Jose in Mexico and Kwame in Africa all have the same common concerns as every other person on the planet. We all want enough to eat. We all want shelter. We all want to be able to earn enough to feed and clothe our children. We all want to feel safe in our homes and daily routines. We all hope to live without falling victim to some sort of violence. We shouldnt have to say that someone lost their life because they were in the wrong place at the wrong time.
But the change starts with each of us at our own individual levels. The change starts with staying awake. The change starts with deciding this is NOT the world we want to live in. The change starts with being a little kinder to every single soul that crosses our path. The pressure that we are under in today's society is unlike any ever seen in our human history. If you add that pressure to someone who is already mentally ill or unstable, its no wonder their psychosis spins out of control.
I'm not suggesting that we can fix everyone who is suffering injustice or emotional pain or mental illness. But we can offer anyone, regardless of their state of existence, a kind word, an understanding smile, a moment of concern. As Gandhi said, "Be the change you want to see in the world." He also said, "The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong."
Be strong. Be kind and forgive those who wrong you and who have done wrong. Start the change in your own world today. And please, for the love of God/Goddess/Divine Love or peanut butter and jelly sandwiches...whatever you believe in....dont just read these words, nod your head in agreement and go back to sleep.
Stay awake this time. Be kind and be the change.
