I’m writing this the day after the horrific and unfathomable shooting at EHS, and the murder of Charlie Kirk within the same hour. This was a very dark day for our community and our country. Our hearts go out to the victims, their families, and all the students and school personnel who were forced to deal with one of the most insidious depravities plaguing our country. Many thanks to our brave first responders, who regularly put their lives on the line for our safety. We pray that the two victims (especially the one in critical condition as of today) recover and can find a way to move forward with the support and resources of our wonderful community. I hope all of the students, parents and teachers avail themselves of the many opportunities for counseling being offered, as this trauma will ripple through this beautiful small town for a long time. I’m so encouraged and inspired by all the nonprofits and small businesses who have offered so many free services right out of the gate. This community is amazing, and we will heal.
Of course, these violent events have understandably sent everyone into emotional tailspins, from sadness to anger and everything in between. What I see that’s unfortunate is that it all seems to create more division, more hate, and a toxic and intractable environment. People are more firmly entrenched in their own doctrines than ever (on both sides), and the divide is widening. This “us against them” mentality will continue to breed these horrific events if we continue this way.
At one time, I thought there was starting to be a middle ground in this country, but from what I read and see lately, that does not seem to be the case. I have no answers to solve this, but I do know that kids are watching. The behavior we model to our youth will have repercussions for generations. If children don’t see civility, compassion and open dialogue without hate, our country and world will continue to spiral. I often wonder when and how human lives became secondary to political agendas and radical opinions.
I have ideas, but I’m certainly not saying they will miraculously fix everything. But can they hurt? We can learn to pause and think before posting to social media or engaging in political conversations. We can meter our words carefully. We can learn to detach from emotion before engaging, and if we can’t, then we can wait until we can. There is a whole lot of wisdom in the phrase “cooler heads prevail.” We can learn to focus on shared values—ones that can build bridges between the divide. We can focus on introspection and self-improvement. If we are each working on our own evolution, maybe there will be less time to spend involving ourselves in the external (placing blame and spreading hate), which might cause more positive interactions as we become more evolved. And, simultaneously, we can keep an awareness of those in our community who may be struggling. Notice when someone seems to be exhibiting unusual behavior. Pay attention, and if they seem deviant from their normal conduct, maybe find a way to help. Most of all, we can be the light. Be a positive example to the best of our ability each day. If we fail one day, we can start over the next. If we unite together now with the same goal, our children may have a fighting chance.
Let these horrific recent events serve to remind us to keep our loved ones close, appreciate each day we are given, and practice kindness and respect when dealing with others.
