What is going on in our world today?
I heard the news about the murders that happened at the university in Virginia today and I'm so shocked and sadden by yet another person taking their anger out on other people. I can't imagine what the parents of those who have been murdered are feeling right now. It's something that I would never wish to experience.
I don't know the full story of why it happened or who did it because the police is keeping this information under wraps at the moment. However, it makes me wonder what it is that makes people do this? why do they have to take their anger out on the world, against people who have nothing to do with the reason they are angry?
Here in my city, today was the first day for the arraignment of the 17 year old student who murdered another 17 year old student late last year at my daughter's school. Again, that murder happened because someone was angry. The good thing was, the killer didn't have a gun because heavens only know that there could have been more than one person dying that day. You know what his (the killer's) lawyer said, he was going to claim self defense for his client because he reacted in self defense against the person he killed. In the mean time, the victim had no weapon and was known as a very peaceful person, while the killer was the exact opposite!
We hear so much about people who get angry at others just over someone stepping on a foot, in error, the over reaction is usually outrageous and uncalled for. Another reason people get out of control, road rage, is so rampant in our society as well. Just the other day, I heard that a man who was so angry that someone on the highway over took him, came out of his car at the next build up of the traffic on the highway, and shot the driver who over took him! I thought these things only happened in California for God's sake! Even though it happening there is no excuse, I just can't get over people's over reaction to little things, this should not be happening!
As individuals we have this sense of importance, of being the person who is ahead or in front of the pack. It's as if we are in our own world. And to be gracious to others, to let someone else get ahead, is too much for some individuals to handle, as if they received a slap in the face.
This case, the killings at the university, may very well be because of someone stalking someone else, or of jealousy; I'm not sure; but the media hinted at this, and as usual, the media is second guessing once again, when they don't have the facts yet. However, if this is the case, again, it's someone's anger being used against others because they feel slighted or rejected.
I see little boys and girls out and about, being angry at each other, not having the patience to talk to each other, to listen, to teach when someone doesn't know how to play, or be a part of what's going on with everyone on the playfield. They are growing up in a society where it is OK to hit out in anger, to not accept apologies because it might make them look weak in the eyes of others, or to covet what their peers have. And if they can't have it, they steal it! That goes for adults as well.
We need to be gentler towards each other. To take the time to listen to the other person. To stop and let the other person get ahead in line. If the person ahead of you is trying to get in front of you when you're driving, go ahead, let them through. Above all else teach the children and the younger people in your life to be the same way. I find myself having to correct my children when they get mad at each other for no good reason, most times because of impatience. I find that I too get short at times, and I have to temper my voice, my attitude, so that I can respond in a gentler manner. Even recently I realised that I was becoming one of those impatient drivers on the road, who is in too much hurry to allow someone to make a maneuver or to over take me because I wanted to get ahead, because I was there first! All for what? For nothing other than not wanting to relinquish my place in line!
I've often heard that how you behave towards someone not only says a lot about you, but the other person will behave in kind. So that moment of kindness and patience will be better received and allow for tolerance instead of anger.
More needs to be done in how people have access to weapons that will cause so much destruction in our lives. While I'm not blaming the guns and the rules and policies that allow some people to get a hold of them. There is so much more loss of life becuase of the easy access to these weapons.