Mindfully Responsive



Yesterday, there was a shooting at a library in Clovis, New Mexico. (Clovis had a population of 39,373, as of  2017.) A 16 year old boy shot 6 people.  2 female victims died.  This is according to the 8 pm (NM time) press conference I listened to yesterday. Many people were responding to the news story as it developed and I noticed two things. 1) There were a lot of people using shocked language (i.e. OMG!) and 2) people, strangers not even from the area, were chiming in with opinions, some of which were very unkind or judgmental.

A friend of mine is a teacher in the area and is directly affected by this.  Out of respect for her and others effected by this, I am not giving details of how she was or was not involved.   It is along these lines that I am writing this blog post.

October 1, 2015, my world was flipped upside down by a shooting on my former campus. The speech and opinions of those who knew nothing of my school and the community it was a part of affected me unexpectedly.  I was angry that they were spreading lies about a place I had grown up in.  I was hurt that people had formed an opinion of my campus, my entire county really, based on an isolated incident.  I found the rumors and suspicions of abuse and militia type settings revolting and had to ask a conversation to be stopped because the ignorance and judgment made it too difficult for me to keep my emotions contained.

The reason I am sharing all this is simple, WORDS.  Words lead to thoughts, thoughts lead to actions. If we spread hate, lies and ignorance, we further the trouble of an already burdened community.  But if we are mindful and come with words of support and encouragement, we can help ease that burden.  


As you read news and comment on social media, in your class rooms, at the table during a meal, or while out in public, please be mindful of the way your words can impact others. You may be half-way around the world but the person who sees or overhears your negative or guttural response could be directly affected by your words.  
Be kind. 
Be wise. 
Please, be mindfully responsive.

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