“If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other.”
― Mother Teresa
― Mother Teresa
As the days pass and this tragic event in Newtown Connecticut still haunts our hearts and minds, I find myself in moments of deep grief for the families of those poor children. Yes, like all of us, I'm hugging my kids a little tighter and more frequently and seeing my life from a whole new lens.
I'm also trying my hardest not to turn the radio on or read what is on the headlines at the grocery store. Luckily, we don't have cable tv so it's easy to avoid the media there. Are you wondering why? Because as the days pass and the horrifying stories continue, I don't want the details to become a part of my conversation with another human being. I don't want the fear and the cruelty to become a part of my daily story. I don't want what happens next to be a part of my energy and a part of how my family lives.
Of course we need to reflect and think about why this is happening. Why our world has become so full of fear and cruelty that this boy could be swallowed up by such darkness. But instead of sitting around and talking and listening about WHAT happened, why don't we ask WHY? And how we can make a difference. How we can create some change. Obviously the gun laws and medical resources need to be addressed, but maybe it's deeper than that.
Maybe it's the lack of connection between people. Technology has brought us closer in so many ways and yet has completely distanced the human race in every day interaction. How many times have you stepped into an elevator and actually had a conversation with someone without peeking at your iPhone? How many of us are constantly looking down at a text, rather than looking up to say hello or share a smile? How many families do you see at a restaurant doing less talking and more iPad? How many of us are sitting in front of screens at night rather than connecting with our families? We all do it and unfortunately, this has become the norm.
Bottom line, there is less human connection and without connection, all we are is figurines in a game. And sometimes, it's a game with guns.
If we want change, then we have to take the time to connect off line, look each other in the eye and share some real human contact. So rather than listen and watch what the media has to say about this tragic story, take the opportunity to connect with your neighbors, friends, strangers and family.
Change the pattern. It's time to connect.
I'm also trying my hardest not to turn the radio on or read what is on the headlines at the grocery store. Luckily, we don't have cable tv so it's easy to avoid the media there. Are you wondering why? Because as the days pass and the horrifying stories continue, I don't want the details to become a part of my conversation with another human being. I don't want the fear and the cruelty to become a part of my daily story. I don't want what happens next to be a part of my energy and a part of how my family lives.
Of course we need to reflect and think about why this is happening. Why our world has become so full of fear and cruelty that this boy could be swallowed up by such darkness. But instead of sitting around and talking and listening about WHAT happened, why don't we ask WHY? And how we can make a difference. How we can create some change. Obviously the gun laws and medical resources need to be addressed, but maybe it's deeper than that.
Maybe it's the lack of connection between people. Technology has brought us closer in so many ways and yet has completely distanced the human race in every day interaction. How many times have you stepped into an elevator and actually had a conversation with someone without peeking at your iPhone? How many of us are constantly looking down at a text, rather than looking up to say hello or share a smile? How many families do you see at a restaurant doing less talking and more iPad? How many of us are sitting in front of screens at night rather than connecting with our families? We all do it and unfortunately, this has become the norm.
Bottom line, there is less human connection and without connection, all we are is figurines in a game. And sometimes, it's a game with guns.
If we want change, then we have to take the time to connect off line, look each other in the eye and share some real human contact. So rather than listen and watch what the media has to say about this tragic story, take the opportunity to connect with your neighbors, friends, strangers and family.
Change the pattern. It's time to connect.
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