What Unites Us

Today, as media outlets flood us with information about the Colorado shooting and the shooter who chose to take so many lives, I believe that it is important to remember not only victims, but tragedy as it affects us as a country and as humans. Tragedy is like Pandora's Box. When we first see it, it is all the terrible things that hit us: Number of victims, ages, reasons for it. But, with time, if we can manage to push past all the horrible things flooding out at us, and look deeper into it, I think we can find some strains goodness and hope in its aftermath. By this I mean, by looking at the heroes borne of the tragedy and how people all become united through it, we can find human goodness. In the Colorado shooting, many people lost or risked their lives to save someone else or help someone who was hurt. An example of this kind of heroism is the late Matt McQuinn, who dove on top of his girlfriend to save her life, even when it meant losing his. Then there was a group of teenagers who took care of a little boy when he was looking for his family, who had been inside the theater with him, and stayed until he found them. There are many more stories like this, not only with this tragedy, but with countless others too. Although these all people could have just thought about themselves and got out of there, they chose to help others instead, saving lives. The fact that these people acted so courageously, gives me hope. 

 

As humans, we are united by the fact that we know life is precious and should be treated with care and respect, not taken away so senselessly. We can empathize and sympathize with those who have been touched by tragedy. For this reason, people around the US, and the world, have been sending their prayers and thoughts to those victims and families of the shooting in hope of them knowing that they have someone there for them. As a country, for the first time in a long time, we all are united behind something. On Friday, political lines were dissolved when both Barack Obama and Mitt Romney released statements about the shooting. This might be the only time that we see Obama and Romney agree on something and use similar words to express their thoughts. Campaigning was cancelled in order to show respect. Hopefully, these political lines will stay dissolved long enough for something to be done so this doesn't happen again.

As the days progress, and more and more information is released about the victims and the shooting itself, I encourage you all to keep those who have been personally touched by the tragedy in your thoughts in prayers. It is also important to think about we can learn from this tragedy like that l life is short, that while you can, focus on what really matters to you, that things like this shouldn't happen and we should do everything to prevent them, and that when it matters, human goodness shows itself. My heart goes out to all the victims, their families, and those at the theater. You will be in my prayers.

*CNN did a really great article on the heroes of the shooting and I reccomend that you all read it: http://www.cnn.com/2012/07/25/opinion/bennett-aurora-three/index.html?hpt=hp_c1

Sisters: The Best Friends in the World

Today, on my sister's 24th Birthday, I believe that it is a proper time to raise a glass to all the sisters around the world. There are many reasons to celebrate sisters, one of which is that they are always there for you. From the minute you were born (if you're the younger sister), or the minute they were born (if you are the older sister) you had another person who had your back and was always watching out for you. As sisters grow up, that really never changes. While people can say that that is because you're family, or that blood stays with blood, it is more than that. Sisterhood entails a bond, and while that bond is different for all sisters, it is a connection that holds them together. It is a bond of memory and experience that you will never share with anyone else in your life. It is a linkage that sees beyond the outside into the inside, into the heart. It is a connection that has undergone strain but that never becomes so strained that you cannot mend it. It is a kinship that entails a multitude of emotions that only grows with each passing year of sisterhood. Overall, it is a complicated relationship that can be most concisely summed up by Linda Sunshine: "If you don’t understand how a woman could both love her sister dearly and want to wring her neck at the same time, then you were probably an only child."

For me, as the youngest of all the sisters, there was an extra factor added to that connection. Growing up, my sisters were my role models and in watching them, they were (and still are) some of my greatest teachers. In my life, there was a level of idolization of them, that with time, has waned, but I know will never totally go away. Although the idolization has lessened, my respect for my sisters grows everyday. I believe that that is probably true in all sibling relationships. When we are little, we see our older siblings as infallible heroes who can never do wrong. But as we grow along with them, we see that they can make mistakes, that they are flawed, and that they are ultimately human. But even though they are no longer God like, it is exactly because of that fact that we come to respect them (and love them even more). 

So here's to sisters, all kinds of them whether they be young or old, big or little. Thank you for all that you do and all that you put up with. You can never know how much we appreciate you. Sisters, you are some of the greatest blessings that we were born with. To my sister, Happy Birthday. Every year you get older is another one I am grateful to have with you.

Soruce: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm3inXH4lJqAxtSkMc0A5milPxvdrrp9cvONIVMMChZC8zwfC2WrB94B5Szj6QODswID6SEOWMWHjzfzFMixLfE_2M6xkx_4GDQQYIsm13JIuvQIh1QIdYOfYcVU6e7p1oTBguGcniUAY/s1600/SistersForeverCStavridisStock.jpg

'A Thank You Note to the World'

We live a world that seems, to many, to be in turmoil. From a economic recession in the United States that has cost millions of jobs, to a fight for peace is Syria which has lost thousands of lives, it is easy to have a negative outlook on the world, as well as on life. I believe though, if we look past all the wars and problems in society today, we all have a lot to be grateful for. So here is my thank you note to the world for all the small and big things that make up a wonderful and worthwhile life. My hope is that with my glass of gratitude, your glass will get a little closer to seeing the world in a more "half full" kind of light.

My first glass of gratitude is raised to family, which is sometimes undervalued and overlooked. Now family doesn't only include those to which we are biologically related too, but also those people who life would be hard to imagine without. Family is always there for us and we often take for granted the fact that they are there when we need them.  They offer support and advice when asked (or sometimes when not asked) and they always have our back. They bring joy and laughter to our days, brightening our lives with their smiles. Even if we fight with them, they always come back and are still the ones who love us the most in the world. All this is given for free, without any thought about getting something back in return. Personally, my family is the number one thing I am grateful for in my life and if given the chance, I would not trade them for anything. Without them, I would be lost and my life would be much more dark and dreary. So, lets raise a glass to those who make our lives so much better and easier, while painting our world with their vibrance. Cheers!