You're Going to Be OK

Even though you don't believe it, you will, I'm sure of it. Sincerely, I say this because you never know who might need some encouraging words—let's face it, we all could use it. I'm here to remind you that even if things may feel hazy, confusing, doubtful, or even painful right now, they are just temporary, and they don't define who you are. The truth is that everything we experience in life is just temporary, even though it may feel like forever when it's happening. You start to lose faith, start to question your sanity, and you could even start to feel guilty. It's so easy to focus on what isn't or what is challenging, but we must remember that even bad days evolve into good days eventually.

I frequently encourage mental health wellness because I think we can eliminate the stigma attached to mental illness if we were more knowledgeable and open about it. You don't need to have a mental illness diagnosis for this topic to apply to you; we can all relate. What do you think would happen to your mental health if you kept on thinking about the setbacks and suffering you encountered at a difficult time? If everything remained stagnant, the world would not develop and grow; the good cannot exist without the bad. Duality is essential since life is a constantly changing experience. If people, challenges, happiness, and everything else we know in life weren't transitory, we couldn't get better over time.

How good are you at spotting those beautiful moments when things start to get better? We may start to worry about things that haven't even happened yet. We tend to think back on the past, which could bring up painful memories. So, is there a middle ground? How can we recognize the good when it appears in front of us, how do we take use of our wonderful moments? According to the Nurtured Heart Institute, people should use emotionally nourishing words and therefore should reflect on the following questions: “What is so great about what I am seeing?” or “What do I appreciate about this moment in front of me?”

The goal is for you to understand the significance of what you experience. Have a good Wednesday!

Take Control

Since there is no safety anywhere, it is time to take matters into our own hands. Who is to blame for the outcomes? Is it the government or the public? Or maybe both; We're supposed to cooperate, hold each other accountable, and encourage each other, but this hasn't happened in years. Citizens, operators, children, and even animals appear to be without protection. Violence has grown prevalent, and voices of the people are being ignored. I tend to question the government's intentions because they have the means and opportunity to prevent many issues, but instead do the complete opposite. It appears that basic human rights are being slowly but steadily taken away from us.

They blame violence on mental illness, claiming that there are so many sick people on the streets, which I agree with, but let's not put the entire burden on mental illness. The truth is that many people who suffer from mental illnesses are not violent. People believe that we should avoid them at all costs and that there is no way to help someone who has one, but this is not the case. How are you assisting those who are in need? Is high-quality service available to everyone? If so, is it affordable? Are there enough providers to help these people? Stop blaming mental illness for bad behavior; they knew exactly what they were doing because that was their intention. In such a circumstance, they are entitled to the consequences of their conscious decisions.

Let's talk about gun violence and how people tend to blame the guns, rather than the person who pulls the trigger. People no longer use their words or even their fists; instead, they reach for a gun. It's as easy as heading into your local Footlocker and buying a pair of sneakers to get your hands on a gun. They frequently end up in the wrong hands, whether they obtain them legitimately or illegally. Innocent people are being injured because of errant gunfire. A traumatized person suffering from life circumstances and cowardice believes that letting a few rounds fly will give them a sense of strength. They often claim that having access to a firearm is the common denominator in every firearm-related death or injury, which appears plausible, but there are several complex elements that aren't being addressed. Even though gun-related crime is on the rise, we must approach these circumstances with an open mind. Yes, gun control is necessary, yes, the age to acquire a handgun should be raised, yes, you should have a permit to carry a firearm, but a huge part of this is the reality that a lot of these violent crimes start with people who have a long criminal record and are repeat offenders.

We've received numerous reports of guns being purchased illegally from other states, and in some cases, the suspect was under surveillance prior to the bust, giving them extra time to carry and sell illegal firearms. Why have you been waiting so long? Why should we allow it? And why are you letting them free before they finish their sentences if they are caught? So many questions, so few answers, but I feel we've gotten them and must now act. To eliminate or reduce gun violence, the criminal justice system must be improved. If you know how illegal guns are getting into the city and have a strategy and the means to stop them, why penalize and prohibit law-abiding citizens from strolling into their nearest gun store to lawfully obtain handguns to protect themselves? Will Stop and Frisk be reinstated? Will you change the bail reform law so that these criminals serve the time they deserve in prison?

All forms of violence are perpetrated against citizens who are unable to protect themselves due to laws that prevent them from doing so. Due to a lack of emotional intelligence and an inability to handle a simple "no," some men do harm to women. Our bus and train operators are being assaulted as they try to transport us to and from our destinations safely; some of our citizens are being pushed into the train tracks at random; our delivery men and women are being shot or threatened if there is something wrong with their order. At any given time, innocent hardworking people are robbed or assaulted with knives, often in broad daylight; schools, supermarkets, movie theaters, malls, churches, spas, trains, bodegas, graduations, and funerals, among other places, are targeted. What became of humanity? Where is the compassion and love? Where is the assistance?

Finally, when criminals are apprehended, many citizens jump for joy, but they are celebrating a false victory. The issue is that many of the criminals get released even though it is usually not their first offense. You could then question why they were allowed to roam the streets freely instead of serving their sentences. Please make that make sense. I say start standing firm in what you believe and be the change you want to see. Many things would change if more people recognized we are the ones with the power. But, for it to happen, there must be unity.

This Time, Who's at Fault?

Did we sign up for this? Have I deceived my children by entrusting them to those who are incapable of keeping them safe? Did we send our kids to school only for them to be harmed? Are schools no longer a place where children can feel safe? Is it viable for me to educate my children at home?

These are some of the questions that may come to parents' minds in the aftermath of a school shooting. My heartfelt condolences to the 21 individuals who died in the school shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, on Tuesday, May 24th. According to reports, this is the second deadliest school shooting in the United States after the Sandy Hook Elementary School incident in Newton, Connecticut in 2012. This is the 27th school shooting this year, and it's horrible that these tragedies are becoming so prevalent. Gun violence continues to spiral out of control, and no change appears to be on the horizon.

In instances like this, who is to blame? Is it the government or the ineffective gun control laws that make weapons more accessible? Young people appear to be getting their hands on firearms as if they were a pair of sneakers.

Is it the parents' fault that they aren't paying attention to their children? Parents who appear to be aware that something is wrong but turn the other cheek. Is it the fault of parents for not properly loving, supporting, and raising their children? Is it true that too many parents ignore their children, leaving them prone to becoming victims themselves or victims of others? What can we do to guarantee that parents are well and involved in their children's lives?

Is it social media, and how it frequently possesses the minds of our youth? Although convenient and cost-effective, social media has been harming youngsters for years, forcing them to incriminate themselves, lose respect for themselves, and spread misinformation that has tainted their innocent minds. Is it a shortage of mental health services or a lack of care? We recognize that the stigma associated with mental illnesses persists, and that it will take a village to overcome it. Is it the pandemic that has exacerbated the already existing problems with mental health? Many people, specifically children, have had mental health issues that have gotten worse since the pandemic. Many people have become disconnected from reality as a result of the lockdown, and the shooters in both recent shootings have mentioned social media and being under lockdown at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Although it is important to understand that the majority of people suffering from mental illness are not violent, mental health treatment can often avoid gun violence in those who are at risk of violence due to mental illness, suicidal thoughts, or feelings of desperation. A national priority should be policies and services that detect and treat all people suffering from mental illness. The existing level of access to mental health care in the United States requires immediate attention.

What else needs to happen to bring this to an end? When will America's people say, "Enough is enough?" We've heard about change before, but nothing has changed; should we accept that nothing will ever change, or should we try to bring about change ourselves? It's something to consider, and it requires immediate action. I'd like to express my condolences to the families of those who have died, as well as others who have been touched by this tragedy. I send my prayers to all of God's children, and I sincerely hope that one day, the world will be a better place for all of us, and that we will learn to love and care for one another.