Reflections in the Mirror
Life can be funny sometimes.
Not funny in a – haha you are so hilarious, life – kind of way. Rather, it’s interesting how life can so dramatically be put into perspective with just one incident. It can force us to look within ourselves. It can show us how just one action can have a rippling of consequences.
Over this past weekend something traumatic happened to someone I love very much. Without going into details, I can say that acts of violence can really put life into perspective for victims and their family and friends. It makes you value things, people and priorities differently. Those close to the situation may find themselves valuing loved ones more; you suddenly want to tell everyone in your life how much you really do care for them, even if you’ve always had a hard time expressing it. You may even begin to value yourself a little more.
This is interesting because I always thought violence breeds violence just as hate and ignorance produce more of the same. And sometimes that is exactly what happens. When fear paralyzes you, the easy choice is to fill yourself with hate and guard yourself with the violence you want to be protected from.
But sometimes, something else entirely happens and out of a bad situation comes something better. Occasionally in the aftermath of a violent act we find ourselves wanting to love more, wanting to make our lives and the lives of others better, fuller and more complete. Sometimes we need a wake up call to remember why we’re here, why we’re alive at all.
Fear and complacency don’t render change.
Violence always has a core, a reason – whether it’s rational or not – there’s a reason that it has happened. Victims of violence don’t have a choice in the action being committed against them. But we always have a choice in how we let these situations affect us. Do we stand by and let it happen, allow for more violence to breed within our society, our communities, our homes? Do we try to avoid it hoping if we close our eyes to the problem that we need not be concerned? Do we wait until something hits too close to home (like I’ve found myself doing) all the time not realizing that these incidents happen every day to people we don’t know, we do know, or those we don’t care to ask about?
Or do we wake up and realize that while we are all responsible for our own actions, our own choices and our paths in life, there are situations and problems bigger than our own concerns and our own self preserved egos?
No one can fix the world, but we can try to heal it as much as we can. We can try to do our best and realize we live within communities, not in self sustained bubbles.
I know this post may just seem like an irrational rant (and perhaps to some degree it is). But I’m exploring within my own life how to look past my own fears and anger about things I assume I can’t change and, instead, take action to make life a little better and safer for someone else.
Below I’m listing four organizations that I personally feel strongly about. Please find one (or more!) that speak to you and take a stance for a cause you are passionate about.
Girls Inc. – This national nonprofit youth organization is dedicated to inspiring all girls to be strong, smart, and bold. Their programs help girls confront subtle societal messages about their value and potential, and prepare them to lead successful, independent, and fulfilling lives.
Anti Violence Partnership of Philadelphia (AVPP) - This organization helps children and youth resolve conflict nonviolently, while assisting victims and their families to rebuild their lives in the aftermath of violence. Their mission is to end the cycle of violence in Philadelphia through comprehensive and collaborative programs.
Equality Forum – Nonprofit organization in the Philadelphia area whose mission is to advance national and international gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender civil rights through education.
Rape Abuse Incest National Network (RAINN) – This organization is the nation’s largest anti-sexual assault organization. It educates the public about sexual assault; and leads national efforts to prevent sexual assault, improve services to victims and ensure that rapists are brought to justice.
JRB xoxo
