For twenty-six families in Connecticut, Christmas will never be the same. No amount of decorations, gifts or family gatherings will ever bring back the precious children whose lives were forever lost or the courageous teachers who gave their lives to protect others.
Our hearts and prayers go out to these families who’s hearts and lives are forever broken by the incredible tragedy that was brought on by just one gunman.
What Can We Do?
As we watch from our homes all over the country, those of us with loving hearts struggle to know what we can do to help.
People are already arguing about the gun laws, with strong opinions on both sides. President Obama spoke to the people of Connecticut, with tears in his eyes, obviously thinking about how he would feel if it had been one of his daughters who was killed. He also spoke clearly and strongly of his dedication as our President to do anything he can do to prevent future killing in our country.
Yet, at the same time, other TV networks are saying the violence happened because we have taken prayer out of our schools, with no apparent awareness of how our lack of gun restrictions could have contributed to what happened.
How Can We Stop The Violence?
Obviously something needs to change in our country to stop the violence that we have experienced in the past ten years. Establishing greater gun control is only a small beginning of what needs to happen to protect our innocent children and our courageous citizens in the future.
The greatest change we need is an inner change. Rather than focusing our lives on the pursuit of material possessions, we need to come home to the love in our hearts and learn to connect with each other again.
We need to learn how to share our joys and our challenges with each other again and take time to really give love and support to those who need it so desperately.
How Does Our ‘Inner Change’ Affect the Outer World?
‘Inner change’ is about healing our own individual lives so that we can contribute to the world around us in a positive, helpful way. When we heal ourselves, we become loving, supportive parents who help our children and grandchildren to become loving, contributing people in the world.
By healing ourselves, we also discover and actualize our own purpose in life, which is our personal way of making a positive difference in the area of life that we are most drawn to.
And when we heal ourselves, we can also begin to create laws and systems that are helpful to society on a bigger scale, rather than just looking out for our own individual interests.
What Can Each of Us Do Today to Make a Difference?
It would be so wonderful if we could somehow turn back the clock and stop the violence before it happened. But since that’s not possible, here are a few things you can do today to contribute to a better world:
- Pray for healing for the families who are hurting so deeply this Christmas. Continue praying in the months to come, as they struggle to overcome their pain and grief, that somehow they find love and healing.
- Help your children, your grandchildren or any children you know, to deal with what happened. Save the Children has posted 10 Tips to Help All Children Cope with the crisis in Connecticut on their website.
- Take an honest look at your own life and commit to healing your own emotional issues. By healing yourself, you’ll contribute much more to your family and the community around you.
- Instead of focusing just on your own financial security, try doing positive things in your community that bring love and meaning to your life. True service that’s done from your heart will fill your life with incredible joy.
- Open your heart to those people around you who desperately need love and support. Do something regularly to make a positive difference in someone else’s life.
At Christmas time this year, let’s not forget the families in Connecticut whose hearts are still bleeding from their horrific losses!
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More Information:
For more information, you may also want to read some of Kari’s other posts:
Replace Isolation and Loneliness with Healthy Connections
100 Best Psychology/Self-Help Books
Thanks so much for this Kari! You bring so much light to the world! Have a wonderful Holiday with your loved ones.
Thank you, Patti! I’m sure you bring love and light to your world, too. Keep shining! Blessings, Kari