As I type this, there have been two mass shootings in the last few days. It’s gotten to the point that I don’t react anymore and that’s what worries me. The numbness. The expectation that there might be others because some copy cat is sitting in their house just waiting for the right time. So, so sad that we have come to this in our country.
The feelings I am processing are ones of sadness. The hate and vitrol on the internet are at epic proportions. How does this serve our fellow man? Why do people feel the need to write such hateful things? Is it fear? Is it simply a “what are we supposed to be doing about all of this to make it stop?” Is it frustration at the lack of changes in our system? I believe that the answer would be D) All of the above. So instead of showing compassion and love, these folks dish out more hate. This isn’t helping the situation people.
I took to Facebook just the other day to write that I was going to sit out social media for a day to honor the victims instead of glorifying the hate. The sad part is, I got less likes for this post than I did for a minion meme. People are literally walking around like chickens without a head because they lack direction. They just do not know what to do.
I’m here to help get you started on steps you can take to diminish the fear, the hate and the plain mean posts. Only follow folks who are uplifting. One of my favorites is Jay Shetty. He’s got great videos that really speak to life. Another person I like to follow is Mel Robbins. Unfollow Uncle Frank who is a gun-toting cranky old white man and follow someone who uplifts instead of having the large need to be right. I’m not saying that Uncle Frank isn’t right, I’m just saying that his way of conversing probably isn’t going to have the word love in it.
How I am handling all of this is to keep my side of the street clean. I’m clearing my energy and making sure that the energy I am putting out into the world is one of service. What can I do to pay-it-forward? One of the most positive pictures I’ve seen this weekend is the long line of people in El Paso lining up to donate blood. There were no lines drawn between white, black, American or non-American. It was simply a line of people with the same exact blood in their veins as the guy next to them. How beautiful was that? Community is what will pull us through.
When I went out for a hike yesterday to clear my head, I noticed that people were more responsive than usual. I got a lot more good mornings and hellos than I ever have. People weren’t looking at their phones (yes, this is a common scene on the hiking trails. Come on folks, you are in nature.). I even saw the wonderful sight of a Dad holdng the hand of his perhaps 15 month old and talking to him in full on conversation about nature. I stopped and thanked him for giving me that precious sight.
I know it’s scary out there folks. However, you can take actions to keep yourself clean and clear. Don’t live in anxiety. This just means they win. Live your best life. Say what you need to say to those around you. Express your gratitude every day for even the smallest thing. Eyes to read with, a laptop to type with, a pen and paper to express yourself. Take time each and every day to just be grateful for the beauty that is still in the world.
Until My Next Adventure,\
Trish Walker
Park City, UT
