My friend Linda mentioned that whatever I was planning on posting tonight would probably be different after hearing the news of the shooting at the ball field in Virginia this morning. While I generally don’t plan what I’m going to write about in advance, I couldn’t have planned this.
I found myself feeling deeply saddened not only by the shooting in Virginia (where the gunman was killed), but also a separate, unrelated shooting at a UPS sorting facility in San Francisco where four people (including the gunman) lost their lives.
What concerns me about these and other occurrences around the world recently, is the deep seated issues we are facing, and their seeming ability to draw people into such states of rage and violence toward each other.
The longer we are willing to continue basing our actions on differences, disagreements and discord, the greater the degree of violence and anger we will face.
Today, my intention is prayers for Peace. The Walk for Peace is an outward expression of the prayers I have for myself as well as for the rest of humankind.
While the shootings today were not “linked to terrorist organizations”, the impact is still enormous. Families, friends and communities will be dealing with the repercussions for some time. I cannot begin to imagine the heartache they feel.
What I can and will do, is continue to hold the people affected by today’s shootings in my heart, and each day, I will endeavor to be a stand for Peace in the World.