Tragedy In Connecticut

Where do I start?  What now?  Who is to blame?  How can this happen in a civilized society?  What can be done?  Will it ever be fixed?  Should I worry about my Grandchildren?  What should I believe?  Does God have a role in this?  Should I be angry or sad?  Should I be numb or active?  Should I be depressed or hopeful?  Should I cry for the dead or smile for the survivors?

After watching this tragedy unfold this morning, my head is full with all of the above thoughts.  If you don't know what this is all about, you can't be reading this blog.  This is no longer a one off event.  These last six months have been the worst and without some action, this won't stop.

Do I believe this is the straw that breaks the camel's back - I hope so!  However, waiting for the outside world (in this case the government) to fix this is the wrong course.  Taking action, being vigilant and keeping a positive attitude is the right course.

If you believe in gun control - take action.  If you believe our schools, theaters, places of worship and the workplace should make changes - take action.  If you believe in community watch - take action.

Being vigilant takes many forms.  The most important form is being open to the fact that there are troubled people in our society. Being open means you see someone that is not right you get help immediately.  That includes getting help even if it's your own children, family members or friends acting out. 

You know when something or someone is just not right.  However, we hesitate because we're afraid, don't trust our judgment, don't want to get involved or don't want to deal with the fallout from neighbors, friends or family if we're wrong.  I say better be wrong than wait for the tragedy to happen.

There is one critical thing you must do - keep a positive attitude.  Getting depressed, getting angry, worrying, blaming anyone (even God) or crying for the dead is not the answer.  Negative energy will never fix this problem.  Negative energy will not allow you to take action or be vigilant.  Negative energy will bring you down.

There is good in this world.  Good things are happening to you right now even in the wake of this tragedy.  Your thoughts and your prayers (if you're into that thing) are projected to all when you give positive energy out to the universe.

The people who are going through this horrible experience don't need your "woe is me" attitude. 

What they need most is your positive attitude for the future of those who survived.