Hatred does not cease in this world by hating, but by not hating; this is an eternal truth. -Buddha

The Boston bombings have concerned me on so many different levels, and I have acquired quite the amount of life-knowledge out of this tragic event.

I am so desperately saddened for the families who have suffered because of the cruelness of strangers and with no explanation. These families were offered no compassion or humanity and instantaneously became victims left to travel the lonely roads of grief because someone chose to end their family member’s life during an act of violence.  Is there no humanity left?

I am, of course, referring to the Boston bombings, but also to the many other shootings, bombings, and attacks this country has endured since it was born.  We are attacked by acts full of hate and violence and carry a heavy sorrowful and oppressive poison. 

This poison has spread like wildfire.

I cannot pretend to understand what these families are going through; every individual must walk his/her personal path, no path is the same.  Unfortunately, people often believe they must walk this path alone.  You do not have to walk the path alone, but there are trails that you should walk alone; be brave, be honest, be courageous and will yourself to progress as a human and as an individual.  Family and friends help to keep your head above water but in the end it’s a personal and spiritual journey.

The poison is taking its toll.

We don’t care about achieving our personal best as humans. We care only to be better than others, knocking them down for personal gain when necessary, never accepting that we have faults and are capable of change.  I understand there is no way to rid evil in this world but we can and should be more proactive in appreciating life and pain for what its worth.

I have encountered too many atrocious comments to go unnoticed.  People openly suggesting torture tactics as revenge for a violent crime.  It disgusts me to my core, equally as badly as those responsible for the crimes.

“I object to violence because when it appears to do good, the good is only temporary; the evil it does is permanent.” Mahatma Gandhi

One person’s actions do NOT give you an excuse to be inhumane.  This is not a gray area. This is black and white, it is wrong.  I’m not saying it isn’t natural to have these thoughts, the urge to hurt those who have hurt so many others, but it this is not the answer. We are teaching our children that violence can solve problems. 

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.”  Martin Luther King Jr.

I’m not disagreeing that these people do not need to take responsibility for their actions, or that people should not defend themselves or their families, there are situations that call for good people to do bad things in the name of justice.  If you are a good person you will heavily weigh life in every sense, every action has a consequence, good and bad. 

A man who kills someone to protect his family isn’t a bad person.

A police officer who kills someone who is planning on intentionally harming someone else isn’t a bad person.

I won’t even argue that there is no basis for the death penalty; people should be punished accordingly for their crimes.

As far as judgments go, another life is not for me to judge, I will politely leave that for whatever God they believe in to decide.

We need to work together to build a society focused more on progress, and less on negativity and hate, but we can only do this together. We will get there. I have had role models who have helped mold me into who I am today, and together we will continue to encourage peace and love in place of hate and violence. 

 “You must be the change you want to see in the world.” Mahatma Gandhi