Trying to find hope in humanity...

I checked my phone over my lunch and found out through facebook posts and twitter what had happened. My stomach dropped...not again. More innocent people harmed by a selfish, hateful act. I don't think I knew anyone running the Boston marathon today, maybe a friend of a friend on facebook, but it doesn't take a personal connection to feel the confusion, the hurt, and the anger resulting from today's events. 

I don't understand. My whole life has been about being kind to people, trusting people and believing that there is more good than evil out there. I truly believe that most people are good...but then something happens...a school shooting, a coffee shop shooting, a bombing and I feel completely naive. The Pollyanna world of rainbows, sunshine, and 'do-gooders' is trampled. I lose hope, I become afraid...not just for us but for future generations, our kids and their kids. What's going to happen to them? Are they going to be able to go out to a public event or place and feel safe? Will they be able to live without being afraid to walk out their front door?

To be honest- I was having kind of a crappy Monday...stressful, customer issues, not ready for the weekend to be over, short staffed...I really had a case of the Mondays when I woke up this morning. I knew Erik did too. He started working on a task at work that he absolutely dreads on top of feeling stressed and exhausted. We were both a little grumpy and a little tired. Everyone has those days...but after I saw the news on my lunch break, I knew I needed to snap out of it. My day and my 'problems' were NOTHING compared to those whose lives will forever be changed by the bombings today. My blah mood and stress from work was nothing...I realized that I needed to get over myself and be thankful for every last ounce of life I have.

How do you cope with something like this? How does a participant, or a friend or family member of one cope? How does the community cope? How do we as a nation cope? We have to find that lost faith and trust in humanity. I've noticed a trend (it's sad that there have been so many tragic events that there can be a trend to be noticed). The worst times bring out the best in people. Through the confusion and tears, people pull to together. They help each other, they donate money and time to help. We start to realize again...that people are good. 

“When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, "Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.”      

-Fred Rogers

Along with rebuilding our trust, we cannot be afraid of walking out our doors. We can't be scared to go out to community events, to public areas, to museums, parks, landmarks...We have to keep going places, we have to continue coming together and celebrating our communities. 

If the fear keeps us inside and stops us from living life, then they win...whoever they may be.