You can blame gun control.
You can blame mental illness.
You can blame the media.
You blame him.
Who do i blame?
The reality of it all is that we're all to blame. Trying to raise our children in an unequal society is impossible. We are so consumed with money, and material things, that time is not taken out of our days to instill positive morals in our children. Not until someone shoots up an elementary school. Then we remember how important it is to love.
Because the sad part is, we're all distracted. Trying to pay for this, trying to pay for that, trying to make ends meet.
It shouldn't take that.
It shouldn't take a school shooting to remind us why guns are dangerous on any level.
It shouldn't take a school shooting to even open discussions on why we need comfortable, loving places for the mentally handicapped.
But it does. And it's because we are too busy trying to make money to pay our mortgages or loans, or working an extra ten hours this week to have some extra cash for christmas shopping. Too busy to spend time with our families and loved ones. Too busy to try to find time. Because i guess money's more important. It disgusts me.
It shouldn't take a school shooting to remind us that our children are our future. The only chance our species has at surviving and evolving.
And when you take away their educational resources...when you start cutting funds to OUR SCHOOLS at any level, when you convince young adults to take out incredibly large loans so that you can make profit
off of them and convince them that that is the only way to get an education and then watch as they waste their intelligence working minimum wage jobs only to barely make ends meet because they don't
have much else of a choice. And when you fund wars instead of funding educational programs to better the lives of the people and you send your entire country into a debt hole that is impossible to get out of
while simultaneously convincing them that money is everything and if you don't have it then you are worth nothing. Well. What do you expect to happen? Do you expect people to have the confidence that
everything will be alright? Do you expect people to be proud of their country? Do you expect those people to have your back?
Love, education, encouragement. These things are vital for brain development. It is our duty as parents and people to make sure the children us understand love and compassion. To make sure that our
children understand that actions have consequences and affect the lives of so many people around them. And the best way to show anybody anything is through demonstration. Demonstrate your love. Show it in any way you possibly can.
Thank you, Victoria Soto, for sacrificing yourself for those children. You were brave and selfless and not afraid. You showed the children you protected how not to be afraid. You showed them how to be strong and confident in the most difficult of situations. You acted out of love and compassion for those kids. You are a permanent reminder in those childrens eyes that they are loved. Thank you for your courage. Your face should have been the one plastered all over the news headlines. You courage should be the only thing talked about. Your love should be shaping our discussions about why this is happening because you proved that love exists in the first place. And you proved that our society is the one with the disease, not him. You have inspired me and hopefully many others to stand up and face these problems head on and to not be afraid. You are a hero. You are my hero.
And thank you, Adam Lanza, as much as we hate to admit it, for reminding us once again that the world needs a change. I wish you could have been my friend. I wish I could have shown you loyalty, and
love. I wish you didn't kill yourself, but i know why you did. You must have been ashamed. The reality of what you did must have caught up to you. No one can live with the shame of killing children. No one can live with that kind of guilt. You didn't want fame. You wanted love, and our society doesn’t seem to have room for that these days. I'm sorry. I'm sorry that we as humans love a sad story. That it takes an angry person like yourself to stir up the world. I’m sorry that your story was more prominent than Victorias. I’m sorry you were raised in a society where hate makes the headlines. I’m sorry, because i am just as much a part of this world as everyone else and i will take responsibility because very few will. I'm sorry that we encourage actions like yours because it entertains us. I’m sorry that I wasn’t in your life to tell you how good it can get. I’m sorry I wasn't in your life to show you the beauty that our earth has to offer. Because i'm convinced that if someone showed you these things that the lives you took would have been spared, and probably would have changed the world. Maybe one of those kids was going to find the cure for cancer. I guess we'll never know.
It's our fault. Every single one of us are to blame for these kinds of events. And we will pay that fateful price if we don't do something about it. And we don't have much time.
At the end of the day, the worst thing we can do is talk about it. Talking won't get us anywhere. We need to act, and we need to act NOW. Not tomorrow or once the story has settled down. Right now, ask yourself what you can do. Here are some of my suggestions:
Smile, at everyone, no matter their race, age, gender, sexual orientation, etc.
Share. Everything you have. The only things a person NEEDS to survive is food, shelter, water, and love. And a large majority of us even have plenty of these things to go around.
Love, unconditionally. Everyone, not just the kids.
Help. Pass on the things you don't need. Especially to the people who have nothing.
Feed the hungry. Feed yourself. And when you’re feeding anybody, know the ingredients in your food. Understand their impact on your body. Know the person who makes your food. And don’t waste it, don’t let it go bad. There is a very large percentage of this world that doesn’t have the luxury of choosing their food. A lot don’t have access to it at all. Don’t abuse it. Please. Someone is always hungry. Share your plate if you can’t finish it.
Know where your money is going. In a society where our survival depends so heavily on a piece of paper, TRUST who you’re giving it to. Monetarily reward the people and the companies that are trying to
bring peace and compassion to the world and especially to your communities. Know that somewhere someone is preaching that money is power. And the reality is that it is just a piece of paper. That money only has power if we let it. And if we release the power we think it has on an individual level, maybe that power can be diminished on a higher level.
Help support the educational system in your community even if you don't have kids, but especially if you do. School is not just a babysitting service. It's where you learn who you are and what your mind is capable of. And if schools are lacking the funds, then the kids are lacking the resources to expand their minds and learn right from wrong.
Really consider why the fuck we have wars. If a government can get away with mass murder then so should anyone else, right? These are the leaders in the world? People who kill for oil? People who kill in general? These are the people at the top? These are our role models? These people don't give a damn about you so why should you care about them. Why are we supporting it? Why are we letting them get away with this?
Because we're scared. Because we feel like we don't have a choice. Because we feel like our voices can't be heard. Because our government does not have our best interests in mind, because if that was the case, i don't think these conversations would exist in the first place. Because if it did, a majority of us would not be suffering.
Yes, a world of peace is possible. It starts with believing it is. It starts with being a hero, like Victoria who looked a villain straight in the eye, and saved lives. She risked her own life in hopes that the little ones standing behind her might have a chance. And now they do. It starts with loving everyone and caring for the earth. It starts with courage. It starts from the ground up. It starts when it seems like it's impossible, when the fight seems too hard to fight.
One person can change the world.
Victoria reminded me of that.
And i will spend the rest of my life giving my love to everyone who needs it because that's the kind of disease we need to spread. It's the only way we can overcome this.
So, I'm asking for help. A call to arms, per say. But not guns. Loving arms. I'm asking everyone to help me get this rolling. I'm asking everyone not to give up yet. I'm asking you to join me in a peaceful revolution, unarmed. I am asking you not to protest, but to take action now.
Why?
Because 14 years ago yesterday, my father met the love of his life. And he is still with him. Because 14 years ago, gay marriage was a dream.
Because my dad, after being adopted has shown me the importance of family.
Because my dad, after being abused throughout his adolescence, was able to have a child and love and support her. He showed me how that cycle can be broken.
Because my dad taught me that the only way to be loved is to love yourself first.
And because my mom taught me not to give up when things get hard. Because my mom, after two divorces, an ongoing custody battle, and an incurable bone disease, can somehow still love her children more than she loves herself. More than she loves anything in the world.
Because my mom taught me how to fight for love, and how things like money don’t hold happiness.
Because my mom taught me that sometimes, it’s ok to ask for help. Because we all need it. Because we all can give it.
And because my Memere, at the age of 64, took in an 11 year to give her a chance at a decent life, to show her what family and love feels like. Because my Memere taught me patience and how to love unconditionally.
And because my Grandpa taught me how the power of laughter can cure anyone's sorrows. And how anyone is capable of anything as long as you set your mind too it.
Because my Grandparents taught me that blood means nothing, but love means everything, and everyone needs love. Everyone.
Because my teachers in life and in school taught me how to learn. They taught me how to teach myself. Because they taught me not to be afraid to ask a stupid question because there is no such thing.
And because my employer taught me the importance of community and teamwork. How a positively inspired environment encourages people to work hard, and how while it is important to be aware of your weaknesses, it is far more important flourish in your strengths. They taught me how talking down to someone will only make them feel inferior and will produce no will or drive to accomplish goals.
And because my friends taught me that no matter what, you always have someone standing there next to you cheering you on. They taught me how friendship is the most gifted of connections you could ever make with anybody. They taught me how brothers can be best friends. They taught me how best friends always come back, in that “when you least expect it, perfect timing kind of way”. They taught me that friends are always worth fighting for. They taught me forgiveness. They taught me that when a group of beautifully spirited, strong, independent people come together, they can change the world. They taught me that truth is just as vital as breathing. Because my friends taught me that we all make mistakes, it's just a matter of whether you learn from them.
And because Shelbee, my seven year old sister, will one day see the world for what it really is. Will one day open her eyes and see how ugly it can get and I’ll be damned if I don’t at least attempt to make it a little easier for her. Because at seven, her little mind is being developed in a divorced family, in a country that is consumed with debt, in a world that is crying out to be healed, and when she figures out who she is, and where she is, and everything else that is going on, when she figures out she’s a smaller piece to a huge puzzle, I want it to be easier for her to find where she belongs. I want to make sure she is not scared to love.
and because tonight, a friend called me. Telling me how stuck he is in depression. How he feels like there's nothing he can do to get out of it. And how I don't know how bad it can get. And how he wishes he had a mind set like mine. Because all I could hear in his voice was sadness.
because after knowing this friend for over a year, we've never had a conversation until tonight.
because he called me.
It’s time to clean up our mess. This is our responsibility. Let’s give the kids a chance at a bright future. They deserve at least that.
So how will I start? How will I take action now? Here’s my plan...
I will establish a sustainable educational center for anyone of any age. A place where the resources to learn are at everyone's fingertips. A place where anyone can learn how to be an independent learner. A place where creativity is not only encouraged, but the primary drive behind the establishment. A place where people will not only learn how to care for others, but for themselves. A free place. Because knowledge is power, not money, and education on any level should be free. Because i want to breed an army of loving, compassionate, intelligent souls to rid the world of hate and evil.
I don’t know how. I don’t know when. But that’s the plan. And anyone who wants to get involved let me know...it's imperative that this be a collaborative effort. Because great minds think alike, and they also work together and when they do, great things can happen.
But it's not just me that needs this kind of help. The whole world is begging for the good people to rise. The whole world needs any hope they can get. So I encourage you to get out there and help in any way you can. Whatever way makes you mostnhappy, whichever way benefits the livelihoods of the people around you. A lot of people need you. Harness your skills and use them for the greater good, however you see fit. And take your own time. Allow yourself time to think. Get creative.
It’s time to wake up, the sun is rising and the day has begun. Let’s get to work, folks. We’ve got a busy day ahead of us.
You can blame mental illness.
You can blame the media.
You blame him.
Who do i blame?
The reality of it all is that we're all to blame. Trying to raise our children in an unequal society is impossible. We are so consumed with money, and material things, that time is not taken out of our days to instill positive morals in our children. Not until someone shoots up an elementary school. Then we remember how important it is to love.
Because the sad part is, we're all distracted. Trying to pay for this, trying to pay for that, trying to make ends meet.
It shouldn't take that.
It shouldn't take a school shooting to remind us why guns are dangerous on any level.
It shouldn't take a school shooting to even open discussions on why we need comfortable, loving places for the mentally handicapped.
But it does. And it's because we are too busy trying to make money to pay our mortgages or loans, or working an extra ten hours this week to have some extra cash for christmas shopping. Too busy to spend time with our families and loved ones. Too busy to try to find time. Because i guess money's more important. It disgusts me.
It shouldn't take a school shooting to remind us that our children are our future. The only chance our species has at surviving and evolving.
And when you take away their educational resources...when you start cutting funds to OUR SCHOOLS at any level, when you convince young adults to take out incredibly large loans so that you can make profit
off of them and convince them that that is the only way to get an education and then watch as they waste their intelligence working minimum wage jobs only to barely make ends meet because they don't
have much else of a choice. And when you fund wars instead of funding educational programs to better the lives of the people and you send your entire country into a debt hole that is impossible to get out of
while simultaneously convincing them that money is everything and if you don't have it then you are worth nothing. Well. What do you expect to happen? Do you expect people to have the confidence that
everything will be alright? Do you expect people to be proud of their country? Do you expect those people to have your back?
Love, education, encouragement. These things are vital for brain development. It is our duty as parents and people to make sure the children us understand love and compassion. To make sure that our
children understand that actions have consequences and affect the lives of so many people around them. And the best way to show anybody anything is through demonstration. Demonstrate your love. Show it in any way you possibly can.
Thank you, Victoria Soto, for sacrificing yourself for those children. You were brave and selfless and not afraid. You showed the children you protected how not to be afraid. You showed them how to be strong and confident in the most difficult of situations. You acted out of love and compassion for those kids. You are a permanent reminder in those childrens eyes that they are loved. Thank you for your courage. Your face should have been the one plastered all over the news headlines. You courage should be the only thing talked about. Your love should be shaping our discussions about why this is happening because you proved that love exists in the first place. And you proved that our society is the one with the disease, not him. You have inspired me and hopefully many others to stand up and face these problems head on and to not be afraid. You are a hero. You are my hero.
And thank you, Adam Lanza, as much as we hate to admit it, for reminding us once again that the world needs a change. I wish you could have been my friend. I wish I could have shown you loyalty, and
love. I wish you didn't kill yourself, but i know why you did. You must have been ashamed. The reality of what you did must have caught up to you. No one can live with the shame of killing children. No one can live with that kind of guilt. You didn't want fame. You wanted love, and our society doesn’t seem to have room for that these days. I'm sorry. I'm sorry that we as humans love a sad story. That it takes an angry person like yourself to stir up the world. I’m sorry that your story was more prominent than Victorias. I’m sorry you were raised in a society where hate makes the headlines. I’m sorry, because i am just as much a part of this world as everyone else and i will take responsibility because very few will. I'm sorry that we encourage actions like yours because it entertains us. I’m sorry that I wasn’t in your life to tell you how good it can get. I’m sorry I wasn't in your life to show you the beauty that our earth has to offer. Because i'm convinced that if someone showed you these things that the lives you took would have been spared, and probably would have changed the world. Maybe one of those kids was going to find the cure for cancer. I guess we'll never know.
It's our fault. Every single one of us are to blame for these kinds of events. And we will pay that fateful price if we don't do something about it. And we don't have much time.
At the end of the day, the worst thing we can do is talk about it. Talking won't get us anywhere. We need to act, and we need to act NOW. Not tomorrow or once the story has settled down. Right now, ask yourself what you can do. Here are some of my suggestions:
Smile, at everyone, no matter their race, age, gender, sexual orientation, etc.
Share. Everything you have. The only things a person NEEDS to survive is food, shelter, water, and love. And a large majority of us even have plenty of these things to go around.
Love, unconditionally. Everyone, not just the kids.
Help. Pass on the things you don't need. Especially to the people who have nothing.
Feed the hungry. Feed yourself. And when you’re feeding anybody, know the ingredients in your food. Understand their impact on your body. Know the person who makes your food. And don’t waste it, don’t let it go bad. There is a very large percentage of this world that doesn’t have the luxury of choosing their food. A lot don’t have access to it at all. Don’t abuse it. Please. Someone is always hungry. Share your plate if you can’t finish it.
Know where your money is going. In a society where our survival depends so heavily on a piece of paper, TRUST who you’re giving it to. Monetarily reward the people and the companies that are trying to
bring peace and compassion to the world and especially to your communities. Know that somewhere someone is preaching that money is power. And the reality is that it is just a piece of paper. That money only has power if we let it. And if we release the power we think it has on an individual level, maybe that power can be diminished on a higher level.
Help support the educational system in your community even if you don't have kids, but especially if you do. School is not just a babysitting service. It's where you learn who you are and what your mind is capable of. And if schools are lacking the funds, then the kids are lacking the resources to expand their minds and learn right from wrong.
Really consider why the fuck we have wars. If a government can get away with mass murder then so should anyone else, right? These are the leaders in the world? People who kill for oil? People who kill in general? These are the people at the top? These are our role models? These people don't give a damn about you so why should you care about them. Why are we supporting it? Why are we letting them get away with this?
Because we're scared. Because we feel like we don't have a choice. Because we feel like our voices can't be heard. Because our government does not have our best interests in mind, because if that was the case, i don't think these conversations would exist in the first place. Because if it did, a majority of us would not be suffering.
Yes, a world of peace is possible. It starts with believing it is. It starts with being a hero, like Victoria who looked a villain straight in the eye, and saved lives. She risked her own life in hopes that the little ones standing behind her might have a chance. And now they do. It starts with loving everyone and caring for the earth. It starts with courage. It starts from the ground up. It starts when it seems like it's impossible, when the fight seems too hard to fight.
One person can change the world.
Victoria reminded me of that.
And i will spend the rest of my life giving my love to everyone who needs it because that's the kind of disease we need to spread. It's the only way we can overcome this.
So, I'm asking for help. A call to arms, per say. But not guns. Loving arms. I'm asking everyone to help me get this rolling. I'm asking everyone not to give up yet. I'm asking you to join me in a peaceful revolution, unarmed. I am asking you not to protest, but to take action now.
Why?
Because 14 years ago yesterday, my father met the love of his life. And he is still with him. Because 14 years ago, gay marriage was a dream.
Because my dad, after being adopted has shown me the importance of family.
Because my dad, after being abused throughout his adolescence, was able to have a child and love and support her. He showed me how that cycle can be broken.
Because my dad taught me that the only way to be loved is to love yourself first.
And because my mom taught me not to give up when things get hard. Because my mom, after two divorces, an ongoing custody battle, and an incurable bone disease, can somehow still love her children more than she loves herself. More than she loves anything in the world.
Because my mom taught me how to fight for love, and how things like money don’t hold happiness.
Because my mom taught me that sometimes, it’s ok to ask for help. Because we all need it. Because we all can give it.
And because my Memere, at the age of 64, took in an 11 year to give her a chance at a decent life, to show her what family and love feels like. Because my Memere taught me patience and how to love unconditionally.
And because my Grandpa taught me how the power of laughter can cure anyone's sorrows. And how anyone is capable of anything as long as you set your mind too it.
Because my Grandparents taught me that blood means nothing, but love means everything, and everyone needs love. Everyone.
Because my teachers in life and in school taught me how to learn. They taught me how to teach myself. Because they taught me not to be afraid to ask a stupid question because there is no such thing.
And because my employer taught me the importance of community and teamwork. How a positively inspired environment encourages people to work hard, and how while it is important to be aware of your weaknesses, it is far more important flourish in your strengths. They taught me how talking down to someone will only make them feel inferior and will produce no will or drive to accomplish goals.
And because my friends taught me that no matter what, you always have someone standing there next to you cheering you on. They taught me how friendship is the most gifted of connections you could ever make with anybody. They taught me how brothers can be best friends. They taught me how best friends always come back, in that “when you least expect it, perfect timing kind of way”. They taught me that friends are always worth fighting for. They taught me forgiveness. They taught me that when a group of beautifully spirited, strong, independent people come together, they can change the world. They taught me that truth is just as vital as breathing. Because my friends taught me that we all make mistakes, it's just a matter of whether you learn from them.
And because Shelbee, my seven year old sister, will one day see the world for what it really is. Will one day open her eyes and see how ugly it can get and I’ll be damned if I don’t at least attempt to make it a little easier for her. Because at seven, her little mind is being developed in a divorced family, in a country that is consumed with debt, in a world that is crying out to be healed, and when she figures out who she is, and where she is, and everything else that is going on, when she figures out she’s a smaller piece to a huge puzzle, I want it to be easier for her to find where she belongs. I want to make sure she is not scared to love.
and because tonight, a friend called me. Telling me how stuck he is in depression. How he feels like there's nothing he can do to get out of it. And how I don't know how bad it can get. And how he wishes he had a mind set like mine. Because all I could hear in his voice was sadness.
because after knowing this friend for over a year, we've never had a conversation until tonight.
because he called me.
It’s time to clean up our mess. This is our responsibility. Let’s give the kids a chance at a bright future. They deserve at least that.
So how will I start? How will I take action now? Here’s my plan...
I will establish a sustainable educational center for anyone of any age. A place where the resources to learn are at everyone's fingertips. A place where anyone can learn how to be an independent learner. A place where creativity is not only encouraged, but the primary drive behind the establishment. A place where people will not only learn how to care for others, but for themselves. A free place. Because knowledge is power, not money, and education on any level should be free. Because i want to breed an army of loving, compassionate, intelligent souls to rid the world of hate and evil.
I don’t know how. I don’t know when. But that’s the plan. And anyone who wants to get involved let me know...it's imperative that this be a collaborative effort. Because great minds think alike, and they also work together and when they do, great things can happen.
But it's not just me that needs this kind of help. The whole world is begging for the good people to rise. The whole world needs any hope they can get. So I encourage you to get out there and help in any way you can. Whatever way makes you mostnhappy, whichever way benefits the livelihoods of the people around you. A lot of people need you. Harness your skills and use them for the greater good, however you see fit. And take your own time. Allow yourself time to think. Get creative.
It’s time to wake up, the sun is rising and the day has begun. Let’s get to work, folks. We’ve got a busy day ahead of us.
