Thoughts on Peace

I'm sitting here attempting to process in some meaningful way what's happened overseas over the past week. So many lives (over 150k) have been lost to forces both natural (earthquakes and hurricanes in Japan and Mexico), and man made (Paris, Beirut, Libya, Bagdad, and too many more). I spent a good portion of my weekend reading about these attacks and can't wrap my mind around them any more today than I did when I was sitting at my desk on Friday and first head about Paris. It's terrifying and painful and frightening. Which is exactly what the groups propagating the violence want: for us to be scared. To hate Muslims. I even read a few pieces where the terrorists wish to bring about the end of the world. I don't understand it.

But the reality is, I only have one thing truly in my control: how I respond. I will not be scared. I will continue to love my Muslim friends and family. I will not let this influence my views of those fleeing the violence in their own countries (often by these very same terrorists). I will not let them make me afraid. I sincerely hope there doesn't come a day when the danger of being able to go out (whether it be to travel or just to a concert) isn't too dangerous, because then these groups who spread hate and fear will have won.

Be friendly. Be kind. Keep you eyes open for things that don't seem right. Listen to your gut. This does NOT mean to target certain groups (don't even get me started on this--the next terrorist is just as likely to look like anyone else), but it does mean to speak up if something doesn't seem right. I sincerely believe the forces of friendship and love will overcome the darkness around us.

How have the recent attacks affected you? What are your thoughts?