Miss Beth's Journal

I have been watching the news this past week and have been so greatly disheartened with the incomprehensible events that have occurred across the country. In Tucson, Arizona, Congress woman Gabrielle Giffords and 18 other people were shot at a meet and greet she was holding outside a local supermarket. Six of the shooting victims died. In Washington, D.C., a man was attacked by a gang of kids in a subway station. A group of people stood by watching, and even filming the brutal attack and posting it to Facebook, but never calling 911. This behavior is known as the bystander effect and diffusion of responsibility.

I sometimes wonder if the violent video games and the movies we watch desensitize children to think that if we kill someone, it doesn't matter. We watch TV shows that don't have morals and are filled with dysfunctional behavior and attitudes. As adults, we laugh at these shows, but it seems that the young minds of our society are finding the behaviors they see on TV to be the norm and totally appropriate.

We are becoming a nation that loves watching people and reveling in their trials and tribulations. We can view reality TV all day long. The lives of others are open to the viewing of the entire world. Have we become unaffected by death, by the horrors that some poor souls endure? Apathy has been felt after witnessing horrific acts, such as the killing or maiming of people during war. It is the suppression of emotions such as concern, excitement or motivation. If this is the case, then we need to take a good look in the mirror and think about our lives and what we have become.

Shouldn’t we all do a little soul searching? Examine our motives, convictions and attitudes? There comes a time in everyone's life when they should take a step back and look at themselves. Some people actually do this, and others never do. Count your blessings and create a meaningful life for yourself. Have you ever noticed how some people stay in the same circle, but never move forward? It is a New Year, so be the person that you want to be. You must take control of your life. If need be, then change the course of your life! I know change is scary, but if you’re going to start making changes, start today. Write the things that you want to change and do it. Be positive and be brave.

I believe in Karma. Basically, Karma is the law of cause and effect. If you do a good deed, then someone will do a good deed for you. If you do something bad to someone, then someone will do something bad to you. I know the world can be scary, and I know it is difficult to trust. But there are times that we can be kind to others. We can have compassion and empathy for those who are in need. The elderly are a prime example of those who are in need. They are frail, they have limited funds and they trust people who sometimes take advantage of them. If an elderly person lives next door to you, stop by and see if they need anything. Shovel their walkway, and help them carry their groceries. They deserve our kindness and our respect.

Little children also need our kindness. If you see a lost child, help that child. Don't let them get in the hands of someone who might take advantage. Don’t turn away and assume someone else will help.

I am not saying pick up that creepy hitch hiker on the highway, because not even I would take a chance like that. But, if you see someone in need of help, at least call 911 for them. You never know, someday, that could be you.

Tags: change, help, kindness, sympathy

This entry was posted on Friday, January 14th, 2011 at 2:42 pm and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.