It is days like today that make it so hard to see the good. Even harder to be the good. It is not just the act of terror and violence, but it is the aftermath of media coverage, political hoopla, and reactions of many that give me pause.
I was a first time mom, holding my 3 week old newborn when the tragic news of Sandy Hook Elementary broke out. I had no words, just tears streaming down my face as my heart broke for the children, for the parents, and the families and friends directly affected by the devastating event. While I had lived through the news of such horrific events before, Sandy Hook shook me to my core, as I’m sure it did to a lot of parents watching the news unfold that day.
I remember talking to my husband about how it broke us to think of having to raise our kid(s) in a world that contained such violence and hatred toward human kind. But, I made a vow to myself that I wouldn’t let myself get so jaded at any point, that I would become numb to them.
It’s easy to forget. It’s easy to nonchalantly bypass news of [another] mass shooting. It’s even easier to react negatively, especially to the perpetrators of such horrific violence. But, there is no use in making sense of the tragedies. Because it simply makes no sense.
[bctt tweet=” But, there is no use in making sense of the tragedies. Because it simply makes no sense.” username=”simplyeveryblog”]
As a mom of two young boys, I realize that their future will hold a lot of questions that can’t be answered with a simple response. I realize that there are an endless amount of explanations that may still bring about more questions. There is no way to simplify any of it; try as I may, there is no one answer, there is no right answer.
As naive as I may sound, in the midst of such sadness and tragedy, I choose to see the good. The good of the people coming together in prayer and support, the good of the first responders who risked their own lives to bring others to safety, the good of human kind who comes together to be the light over the darkness.
And like our parents before us, and their parents before them, my one prayer as a mom is that we’re able to love and encourage the next generations to see the good and even moreso, to be the good. To be better than what we are today. To love one another more than we do today.
[bctt tweet=”To be better than what we are today. To love one another more than we do today.” username=”simplyeveryblog”]
I am choosing to see the good, to be the good.
We always try to make sense of it because we cannot believe that the perpetrators do not have the same sense of humanity in them as in us. But you’re right. It doesn’t make sense because they’re in a category all on their own.
Same here. I have an 11-month old, my husband and I talk about this. I feel like as parents it is important to talk about it so we know when we raise our little ones, we try our best to raise em right. With love and kindness and generosity above all else.
Hopefully we all find peace again. #lovewins
Love does win, and though I know that it is not a simple answer as just that, I think it’s a small step toward a better future.
This is a great post! I remember being pregnant with my first child when Sandy Hook happened and one of my best friends asked me “How could you bring a child into this crazy world.” She wasn’t trying to be mean, but it rocked me to the core. I appreciate your idea of seeing the good and being the good.
Yes, I totally felt the same way. It’s really, really hard to swallow it all as our normal. I’m trying to tell myself this isn’t the normal and that I must choose to see and be the good every day. Especially as we raise these tiny humans.
As a mom of a 5 month old, the world terrifies me. I wonder what it will be when he is 18…or my age…or 50. It is so scary, but you are right, we have to BE the good and SEE the good. It breaks my heart to watch the news.
It is so scary. It is heartbreaking. And I feel so helpless.
#LoveWins!
Great post! It is so difficult to believe that people are still good sometimes…This is where children are so important. Teach them to be good and to love and maybe we can fix this abundance of hate.
Yes, it is so difficult. I know it takes more than just a statement. But, I truly hope that our children are able to see our love, our encouragement, our sympathy for human kind to bring about better for the future.
The good that you see, people helping people after something like this happens and people supporting people, is so important for us to hold onto in the face of this senseless violence.
Yes, I think events like these help us to realize the good even more.
Looking for the good in things like this is so important so you don’t get caught up in all the hate. Great post.
Thanks for reading Rachel, <3.
Terrorism foreign or domestic has been a daily reminder in our military home. We just can’t go numb… Praying for peace.
I cannot believe that this is our reality. I pray every day for peace, here and all throughout the world. Violence and hate is never the answer.
This was so heartfelt and well said! And I totally agree, I hope that I can instill in my children to be the good!
http://www.myplotofsunshine.com
Thanks for reading Lauren, I hope we can instill the good in our littles. I hope that they rise up to the challenge of being better versions of human kind today.
I truly could not agree more, your message is so beautifully written. It’s not about what your believe or what faith you practice, these are innocent human beings and they are worth it all.
Thank you so much, Tessa. I agree with you. At the end of the day, we are all humans, and we need to love and take care of one another and value each life.
I have had these thoughts also. It can be scary just sending my kids to school some days. I pray with them everyday before they go because you can literally make yourself crazy. And thank you for the reminder to “Choose to see the Good!” I will make sure I do that from now on.
Thanks, Taria. My husband and I said the exact same thing, that it’s horrible for parents have to worry about sending their kids to school. My heart breaks for those who have lived through such unexplained tragedy.
Wow, this was a beautiful post! I have felt so many things when I hear of tragedies, and I think that you couldn’t be more right in saying :there is no use in a making sense of the tragedies”. My facebook feed has been filled with so many angry people looking to blame, of all sides of arguments. I want to see the good, I want others to see the good and to be the good. I am a preschool teacher, it is my goal to instill in children that they are the good in this world and that they can make the difference!
Thank you so much for reading, Hilary. I think anger is natural reaction to these events. I think it is so much harder to remember to be the good in the light of such horrific violence. It’s something I’m trying to remind myself of daily.
I think we all get like that when something bad happens that we do not understand. But I try to remember that I cannot live my life in fear.
Yes, it’s something all of us need to remind ourselves! Thanks for reading, Sophia!
I love this so much! I have been thinking about this a lot lately. It’s so important to spread kindness and goodness around, there is enough negative in the world. I think about all the people that post negatively to social media and take to their soap boxes, but when was the last time they tried to change what they’re apparently so upset about? When was the last time they tried to help their fellow man and volunteer at a soup kitchen or animal shelter? Thank you for sharing your thoughts today.
Thank you so much for reading, Justine. I think it’s human nature to react negatively to something horrific, but I don’t think that it makes it the right reaction. Positivity and love make the world of a difference in my opinion.
I have a hard time with this kind of thing, thank you for these beautiful words! xo
Thanks so much for reading, Gina! xo
I love this. Couldn’t agree with you more, friend.
Thanks for reading sweet friend! xo