My Tumultuous Thoughts

Image from genius.com

I paced the deck for a long time today trying to collect my thoughts and figure out what I wanted to say in this article. When I posted the one on Friday, the acts of terrorism hadn't happened yet in Paris or Lebanon. The eerie prophetic nature of my blog's content hung like a dark cloud over me all weekend. I spent Friday night, Saturday and Sunday holding my immediate family close, praying, and searching for "answers" in a head full of too many questions that I have no idea what to do with. I want the world to make sense. I want the world to be kind, and fair, safe and inviting. Are these so unrealistic? 

The truth is, the recent terrorist attacks are not "new". Worse, they're happening in places all over the world all the time, but mostly those acts do not garner as much attention. Why? What place is the "right" place for horrible things to happen before we stand up, united, and say, "This shit is not going to happen anymore?" What people are the "right" people to be murdered before we are all, collectively, outraged?

I am a firm believer in the concept of life having very few absolutes. I think, in many cases, issues, ideology, etc. fall under varying shades of grey. That being said, there are crystal clear areas of black and white/right and wrong. It is wrong that people are still starving in the world in this day and age. It is wrong that we have yet to find a way to live in peace. It is wrong that some parts of the world are still living in the dark ages, while others prosper light years beyond them. It is wrong that people are not held accountable for their actions and even worse that greed has allowed for the rape of our Nations and our planet! It is wrong that we are still, STILL fighting over various religions, especially in light of that fact that ALL of the major religions in the world have cornerstone foundations of love and peace! I could go on and list more things I think are flat out wrong, but it is enough if YOU are now creating your own list in your mind.

Did you know that if you do a google search for "Images of Poverty in the World", the images that come up are legion? I looked through them slowly at first and thought to myself, "This isn't the world I live in. Surely these must be from a long time ago." But it didn't take long to realize how current many of them are and be horrified at the world outside of my little "bubble". My perusal got faster and faster...I didn't even make it to the end, unable to look anymore. How did it get like this? Why is this okay? Because it's not happening in our neighborhood, or on our doorstep? Perhaps the biggest question I asked myself is....what can I do? I don't know the answer to that yet, but I'm damn sure going to find out.

To the people in France I say, you are not alone. Stand strong!
To the people fleeing war, intolerance, and terrorists I say, be safe and God speed (or whomever you pray to).
And to everyone else I say, help me make this right.