The past few days I have sat on my bed with an itchy feeling in my throat debating whether I should write this or not. Recently, it has been sad on the news. There has been plenty of news that has gotten me thinking. Possibly, the tragedy in Orlando awoke many dormant feelings and thoughts within me. So as I laid with my pillow on one of those sleepless nights I thought:
What is going on?
What is going on in this World of ours? This beautiful sphere tilted on its axis in the midst of such vastness that is the Universe.
What is it?
In the past year and a half Paris endured a massive terrorist attack, Baghdad experienced a funeral bombing, Beirut a suicidal bombing, and now within a short number of days Orlando has recorded two very devastating shootings: the loss of singer Christina Grimmie and The Pulse Massacre.
All I have managed to gather in my head after digesting much information is the undefeated hope I carry that has yet to vanish. I have fired a candle inside my heart; a candle with the light for humanity.
See, if we can understand that every single one of us lives and shares the same Earth, awakens under the same sun, and sleeps beneath the same moonlit sky, connections would flow with more understanding and compassion. No matter the distance or division, it is and will always be the same Earth, our Earth.
As I did hand gestures in the dark I came to the realization that regardless of our cultures, skin colors, geographical standings, religious beliefs, gender identifications, childhood upbringings, and desire to love there is one key factor that brings all of us together: Our existence as human beings. Put everything aside, we are all human beings; perfectly imperfect.
I was reaching 2 am now when I came across a memory in Europe where I sat among 2 German girls, 1 Algerian guy, 2 Turkish gentlemen, a young Jamaican, and an American. We were indulging with the same food, laughing about nonsense, and simply talking. It was not until a few days later that I saw the beauty in that moment. I came to appreciate our differences as a unification not a separation; human beings sharing the same struggles, fears, worries, pains, desires, and dreams.
My friends I do not know how many people will read or talk about this little blog post, but I am certain this world will prevail because among all the fear, hatred, and violence there is always a gigantic and magnifying wave of LOVE!
It is really up to us as individuals and as a collective whole.
Cheers to Humanity!
~M
Sources:
“Beirut Attacks: Suicide Bombers Kill Dozens in Shia Suburb.” BBC. N.p., 12 Nov. 2015. Web. 18 June 2016. <https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-34795797>.
“Iraq Crisis: Suicide Bomb Kills 38 at Shia Funeral.” BBC. N.p., 29 Feb. 2016. Web. 18 June 2016. <https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-35690823>.
Larimer, Sarah. “‘Voice’ Singer Christina Grimmie Fatally Shot at Concert Venue; Gunman Identified.” The Washington Post. N.p., 11 June 2016. Web. 18 June 2016. <https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-nation/wp/2016/06/11/the-voice-singer-christina-grimmie-is-critical-condition-after-gunmans-attack/?utm_term=.45c99a81ccba>
“Orlando Nightclub Shooting: How the Attack Unfolded.” BBC. N.p., 15 June 2016. Web. 18 June 2016. <https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-36511778>.
“Paris Attacks: What Happened on the Night.” BBC. N.p., 9 Dec. 2015. Web. 6 June 2016. <https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-34818994>.