Thoughts

I've been staring at this blank screen for quite a while, trying to find the right words. Really, no words will be enough. The tragedy in Newtown is truly horrific, and it has left me feeling disgusted, heartbroken, and scared. Scared of what this world is becoming, where these events are happening far too often. Scared that there are people out there that could do this sort of thing. Scared that this could happen again. 

After something like this occurs, we find ourselves wondering what we can do to change this. How we can prevent this from happening again. There have already been discussions of gun control, better treatment for the mentally ill, improved security in schools. And while all of those certainly need to be discussed, I find myself wondering what I can do. Right now. To make any kind of a difference. The only thing I could do all weekend was pray. For peace, comfort, safety, and hope. For those sweet babies who are now angels in Heaven and for their families who are grieving their loss.

There is way too much hate in this world. I'm constantly astonished to see the things that people say to one another on Facebook, Twitter, blogs. How did it get to this point where people don't think twice before verbally bashing someone online? How do they think it's okay to treat people this way? With the invention of all of these websites, bullying has become even more prevalent and nasty. I think this is a huge factor in tragedies like mass shootings. When these unstable, mentally ill people are bullied, it causes that person to become even more withdrawn and often times, makes them feel the need for power and revenge. (I am no expert whatsoever, this is just my view on it all. I'm not sure if they've determined whether the shooter in Newtown was bullied or not, but it has been the case in mass shootings before.)

Any changes the government may make will take time and can only do so much, but I believe this is something that each one of us can do to make a difference. In the wise words of Ellen DeGeneres, be kind to one another.

*Just as I was finishing this post, I found out that a friend from middle/high school, who is now a police officer, was shot twice in the head today and is in critical condition. Please pray for Sean. *Update: Sean passed away. Please pray.