I have absolutely no intention of ever making this blog political or even overly topical. But like any sane, rational, feeling human being I am deeply shocked, sickened and saddened by the horrendous events at the end of the Boston Marathon on Monday. My heart, thoughts and prayers continue to go out to everyone involved and affected by this dreadful atrocity.
It is simply impossible to comprehend why anyone would do such horrendous things. What goes on in the mind of someone to make them think killing and maiming innocent spectators at a race is the right way to approach their perceived problems or grievances? We can barely come to terms with such evil let alone understand it.
Yet in the midst of such tragedy and loss we must not let our anger and fear blind us, or more importantly, change us. Despite how it may feel right now, this is not a cruel, evil world we live in. It's a beautiful world with beautiful people that is merely tarnished by the ugliness of a few. This is a world where one sick twisted mind can plant bombs to kill innocent people but also where hundreds of selfless, caring souls will run towards danger to help others.
We must remember that the ugliness in the world is outnumbered by the beauty and kindness. And it will continue to do so as long as we refuse to give that ugliness room to grow. As difficult as it is anger must not fester in our own hearts and we must not let fear control or change us, for then we give those who aim to terrorise us the very power and control they crave. The moment we are paralysed by fear and change the way we live, we have let terror win.
On September 11th 2001, I was sat waiting to visit my local library and excitedly looking forward to my longed for trip to Australia the following month. To pass the time I flicked on the TV and saw a skyscraper with smoke billowing from it's sides. Assuming it was an afternoon disaster movie I flicked over to the next channel, only to be met with the very same image. Confused and disorientated I noticed and read the news feeds scrolling across the screen and the horrendous realisation that this wasn't a movie felt like a violent kick to the chest. Sinking to my knees and shaking, I joined the rest of the world watching in horror as the unthinkable unfolded before our eyes.
Amidst the shock, grief and worry, over the coming weeks I faced difficult decisions regarding the holiday I'd been day dreaming about that very afternoon. The issue of Could I and Should I still travel weighing heavily on an already laden down heart. Could I find the courage to board that plane barely three weeks after 9/11? And more importantly in my mind, Should I even contemplate going, in the light of such tragedy and sorrow? Would it be disrespectful to focus on my own need for a holiday after so many people had died?
It took an awful lot of soul searching before I found my answers, but I slowly realised that I actually owed it to those people to get on that flight, to follow my heart and do what they couldn't any longer - live. Climbing on to that plane was far from easy to do, but as I sat there thinking of each lost life I knew I'd done the right thing. This was my tribute to them, my way of honouring them and my way of sticking a big proverbial finger up to terrorism by showing I won't be governed or crippled by fear.
Four years later I sat in front of my TV once again, this time watching in horror as my own capital city was ripped apart by yet more devastating, cowardly acts of terrorism. Joining far too many in the soul achingly desperate task of finding if loved ones are safe. The strange mixture of relief and guilt on hearing their voices, knowing so many people never got that longed for call. The stomach churning realisation that a matter of moments before the blasts someone you love deeply was walking through tube stations that were now merely piles of rubble. That a matter of minutes had been the difference between life and death.
The terror wrought on London that day was meant to cripple us with fear, but yet again love and courage were stronger. The stories of sheer strength, bravery and heroism by people from every walk of life now stand head and shoulders above the names, faces and memories of the cowards who did this. My own love and need to be with the people I care about hugely over- rode any fear I felt as I travelled down to be with them days later. Now 8 years on I actually visit London and even use the tube far more than I did before 7/7. Because instead of dividing us the fear has united us and that is the only way we can fight this - united in the courage to continue.
We hear about the war on terror on a regular basis and it often feels so distant, so removed from us. Yet everyday we can play a vital role in that battle too, by not giving in to terror. By not allowing ourselves to be dictated to or manipulated by fear, by showing that far from dividing us, horrendous events like Boston actually unite us. By showing that the very worst actions of human nature can bring out the very best in humanity.
We owe it to the people who have lost their lives doing what they loved, or just going about their daily lives, to keep living and loving our precious lives to the fullest - overcoming fear and outnumbering the ugliness. Indeed we owe that much to ourselves.
Courage is never to let your actions be influenced by your fears. ~ Arthur Koestler
It is simply impossible to comprehend why anyone would do such horrendous things. What goes on in the mind of someone to make them think killing and maiming innocent spectators at a race is the right way to approach their perceived problems or grievances? We can barely come to terms with such evil let alone understand it.
Yet in the midst of such tragedy and loss we must not let our anger and fear blind us, or more importantly, change us. Despite how it may feel right now, this is not a cruel, evil world we live in. It's a beautiful world with beautiful people that is merely tarnished by the ugliness of a few. This is a world where one sick twisted mind can plant bombs to kill innocent people but also where hundreds of selfless, caring souls will run towards danger to help others.
We must remember that the ugliness in the world is outnumbered by the beauty and kindness. And it will continue to do so as long as we refuse to give that ugliness room to grow. As difficult as it is anger must not fester in our own hearts and we must not let fear control or change us, for then we give those who aim to terrorise us the very power and control they crave. The moment we are paralysed by fear and change the way we live, we have let terror win.
On September 11th 2001, I was sat waiting to visit my local library and excitedly looking forward to my longed for trip to Australia the following month. To pass the time I flicked on the TV and saw a skyscraper with smoke billowing from it's sides. Assuming it was an afternoon disaster movie I flicked over to the next channel, only to be met with the very same image. Confused and disorientated I noticed and read the news feeds scrolling across the screen and the horrendous realisation that this wasn't a movie felt like a violent kick to the chest. Sinking to my knees and shaking, I joined the rest of the world watching in horror as the unthinkable unfolded before our eyes.
Amidst the shock, grief and worry, over the coming weeks I faced difficult decisions regarding the holiday I'd been day dreaming about that very afternoon. The issue of Could I and Should I still travel weighing heavily on an already laden down heart. Could I find the courage to board that plane barely three weeks after 9/11? And more importantly in my mind, Should I even contemplate going, in the light of such tragedy and sorrow? Would it be disrespectful to focus on my own need for a holiday after so many people had died?
It took an awful lot of soul searching before I found my answers, but I slowly realised that I actually owed it to those people to get on that flight, to follow my heart and do what they couldn't any longer - live. Climbing on to that plane was far from easy to do, but as I sat there thinking of each lost life I knew I'd done the right thing. This was my tribute to them, my way of honouring them and my way of sticking a big proverbial finger up to terrorism by showing I won't be governed or crippled by fear.
Four years later I sat in front of my TV once again, this time watching in horror as my own capital city was ripped apart by yet more devastating, cowardly acts of terrorism. Joining far too many in the soul achingly desperate task of finding if loved ones are safe. The strange mixture of relief and guilt on hearing their voices, knowing so many people never got that longed for call. The stomach churning realisation that a matter of moments before the blasts someone you love deeply was walking through tube stations that were now merely piles of rubble. That a matter of minutes had been the difference between life and death.
The terror wrought on London that day was meant to cripple us with fear, but yet again love and courage were stronger. The stories of sheer strength, bravery and heroism by people from every walk of life now stand head and shoulders above the names, faces and memories of the cowards who did this. My own love and need to be with the people I care about hugely over- rode any fear I felt as I travelled down to be with them days later. Now 8 years on I actually visit London and even use the tube far more than I did before 7/7. Because instead of dividing us the fear has united us and that is the only way we can fight this - united in the courage to continue.
We hear about the war on terror on a regular basis and it often feels so distant, so removed from us. Yet everyday we can play a vital role in that battle too, by not giving in to terror. By not allowing ourselves to be dictated to or manipulated by fear, by showing that far from dividing us, horrendous events like Boston actually unite us. By showing that the very worst actions of human nature can bring out the very best in humanity.
We owe it to the people who have lost their lives doing what they loved, or just going about their daily lives, to keep living and loving our precious lives to the fullest - overcoming fear and outnumbering the ugliness. Indeed we owe that much to ourselves.
Courage is never to let your actions be influenced by your fears. ~ Arthur Koestler
1 comment:
Courage is a wonderful show against terror, and this is a beautifully written entry, without getting political at all. I could not agree with you more!
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