The Orlando shooting is officially the worst mass shooting in our history. Fifty lives lost and hundreds, if not thousands, of lives dramatically changed forever…some perhaps even lost. How do we wrap our minds and hearts around such an event? I am not sure I have the answer. I am not sure anyone does.
In December of last year I posted “Terror! Feeling Helpless. We are Not!”. In that post I noted that these types of happenings were taking place in our own backyards by random people. That terrorism was not limited to radicals, but here we are facing the truths around these radicalized terrors. How sad that I am back on just 6 months later addressing the same issue.
What do we do with this? I hear people saying we will stand strong and not lose. We already lost. Lives were lost. Innocence was lost. Our sense of security as a country has been marginalized. For those that lost loved ones, a piece of them is forever lost.
I could go on a rant here as I am sure many of you could. I won’t. But I do want to point out that this seemed to be directed at the gay community. And, this saddens me. Why do these types of prejudices still exist? I simply ask that you pause and reflect on any and all of the prejudices you have and try to come to terms with them. Fact is, most, if not all, of us have some.
If you want to do anything to help, be more accepting and look deeper into the people you may hold prejudices for. As we can see plastered on the TV, this community loves and grieves like everyone else.
As I said in December, we are not helpless. We all have an opportunity to do something, no matter how small, to contribute to making our country a better place, our communities safer or making people feel more accepted. If you want a reminder go back and read that post from December. No end all, be all answers, but some things to think about and act on…today.
I can only assume that you feel as I do. Numb. Sad. Vulnerable. Yearning for understanding of what has been happening around us in the last few years.
As I write this I search for words. I am coming up short. This blog, this platform, was created with the thought that it would provoke thinking and allowance for people to get to a higher place before tragedy. Well, tragedy has hit again. What will you do with it today?
If you feel compelled, please share your thoughts, no matter how varied they are, about all of this.
Prayers and healing energy in route to Orlando.
Stay True,
Ted
Great post Ted, and thank you. I will need to go back and read your December post, as I believe I missed that one. The main thing that I know to be true, and this thinking came to me after September 11, 2001, and also when my own Mother was dying… the world we live in, the land, the environment, the nature, the businesses, the organizations, the cultures, the nationalities, ALL of the people are worthy of respect and living a life of peace, health, happiness and gratitude, and in which we can enjoy what we do, when we do it and really “live”. When we wake up, we should be thankful we have a new day and we can go out and “live”, and we should continue to seek out the adventures and opportunities that are available to us without fear.
There are 2 groups living among us, however, that are affecting our ability to really live our life the way we want: individuals suffering with mental illness who are not getting help and are not well, and those radical terrorists who believe that people, not exactly like them, shall be killed. It is these 2 groups that need to be addressed in the correct manner. What that looks like, I am not sure, and I do not delve into a political discussion about it, but it is a key thing and very important.
Until these 2 groups are addressed, all of us, will need to remain vigilant and intelligent in our actions, but we need to continue to remain positive, respectful, productive and thankful that we have our lives and we can live. Godspeed and Prayers for All.
Gabby, you always were one of the “good ones” and obviously continue to be. Thank you for your thoughtful addition.