I am lost for words of the recent Taliban shooting incident that killed over 140 children and adults in Pakistan.
While the incident is so sad, shocking and depressing, I am again brought back to the harsh reality of the world we live in, and whether a world without violence is even possible.
Advocates of peace will say that “where there is love there is life,” while on the other hand there will be opponents of this philosophy who will argue that a life of love is impossible.
Let’s get some truths out there:
- When someone dies through the hands of another, no one wins – despite what people think. Repercussions are felt all around – the victim’s immediate family is impacted as well as the killer, who in many cases faces psychological trauma and guilt from the action.
- It’s difficult to erase history, while it is easier said and done. Taking revenge is a human characteristic that we all have. We want to “get back” to those that do us and any one around us harm.
- Killing and revenge are driven by man’s ego. Many can argue with me that killing is justified, for example, protection of country, faith, beliefs, family, material objects, and personal pains – yet what is really gained? For one to win a war, means that one loses. Do you think people take losing easily? No way – they will strike back in their own way, in their own time.
- There really is nothing to be gained by killing a human. Can you tell me what is really achieved? I mean REALLY achieved? You can fire bullets left and right but do you think this will really solve anything. The only thing it will do is imprison you in your own paranoia.
As I read the news of the shooting in Pakistan, I am just saddened by the number of young lives that were taken away for no reason whatsoever. Look at my points above. Did the advocators of violence and school both win? No way! Lives were taken all around. Nothing was gained.
Are we going to be able to stop this from happening again? I really wish we could but as long a we can’t learn to forget and forgive, and eliminates thoughts of doing harm through revenge, there is nothing we can do.
Were there actions taken to make a point or to justify a cause? Yes, perhaps – but I am not seeing a cause worthy of acclimation that is obtained through the means of killing. Taking a human life doesn’t make you achieve any personal goals in life or meet team objectives.
Was anything really gained from this incident? Nope! All the assailants died, many children died, school teachers died, parents had their hearts ripped out from learning about their children’s death and I am sure the cycle of revenge will continue – and this time from the parents of the children, the citizens of the country, external groups, and politicians.
This topic will brew on the cover of newspapers for a few days until it will be replaced over time by some new topics and what remained of this incident will become a short-distanced memory.
I am not sure what holding nightly vigils will do. We have done this plenty of times around the world.
I am not sure what sending emails about political awareness will do. We have done this plenty of times as well.
I am not sure what holding silent protests will do. Again, been there – done that.
I am not sure what dropping bouquets of flowers at the gates of the school will do. This will alleviate pains, show we care – but many of us will walk away after doing so to live our own lives keeping the lost ones in our hearts.
I am not sure what seeking counseling will do. We can seek help but that doesn’t always work. We can make others seek help but real change is driven by self-reflection on just through motivation by others.
I think crying will help but it won’t bring back the past. Crying on behalf of the parents is noble from hundreds of miles away but even giving them a hug will not be the same as holding their own child.
I can write all day about non-violence but it may or may not make a difference to save a life.
So, what can we do? My message in this post is less about reaching those people who are advocators of peace, are living peaceful lives, and/or promoting peace – but more geared toward those who feel it is appropriate to take a life of another human for whatever cause you have.
Let me say first that there is no reason big enough to kill a human whether you are acting alone, in a group, based on something you read on TV, the Internet, or part of some religious or personal gratification movement.
The creation of peace is something we all have in our control to create inside – and this is a very personal journey that can’t be influenced by others. The ability to create good starts by reasoning with your mind as to what is the right action and what is wrong.
Reasoning sounds so simple but I don’t see any other way to solve this. You have to really think about your action and repercussion of your action, and ask yourself whether the action that I am taking will cause good to another, or have the potential to create harm.
Every action and word that you take has a repercussion of good or bad. The only action that you take to potentially create good is acting good. If others take your good actions as something bad, than there may be some other issues with the party you are directing your actions toward. You need to do just do your part and focus on creating righteous action.
This righteous action is the only way of living. I have been pissed off, hurt by many people, held ill-thoughts, been fearful, lost friends, acted madly, said the wrong things, screamed and yelled – and this in the end didn’t solve a thing other than create more negativity than good.
I am not perfect. There are times when I wanted to just explode but I refrained myself due to one thing: the ability to quickly reason with my mind and simply say that taking any ill-action further will create more bad than good.
Talking peacefully takes a lot of practice. Acting peacefully takes a ton of practice. Thinking peacefully takes a life-time of practice.
We all have to be able to master the ability to reason with our thoughts and actions toward good when we are hurt the most, or impacted by negative group-think. It is only through this action alone that we can all walk besides each other on the path to peace.