Becoming Desensitized

Desensitized: To make (someone) less likely to feel shock or distress at scenes of cruelty, violence, or suffering by overexposure to such images.

Tragedy is all around us. It's told in books, movies, television shows, and more. We tell each other about the terrible things that happen to us or our loved ones and they nod their heads and say they empathize with our story.

Something happens and everyone stops for a moment to listen and give condolences, but then what? A day or two passes and no one cares anymore. Sure, they still empathize with your pain, but do they really care about what actually happened? A lot of the time the answer is not as pretty as it should be.

In today's world, violence and crime are almost encouraged. I went to a movie theatre and one of the commercials showed a man watching officers unloading a money truck, and it showed him imagining fighting them and stealing the money by force. Then his wife gets in the car and he calmly walks away with a smile on his face and the narrator tells how powerful you will feel by owning the car.

What?

You mean to tell me that if you own this car, violent thoughts are not only encouraged, but they also are expected and okay? No. No they're not.

People these days are growing up surrounded by violence. Almost everywhere you turn, something violent is being portrayed or told about and most of the time it's teaching the audience that it is alright and accepted.

Remember as a child, if a scary moment came on the TV, you would cower or turn away? Now if people are shot or stabbed or hurt in some manner on the screen in front of you, how do you react? Sure you may flinch, but does it really bother you? Or do you comfort yourself with the knowledge that it isn't real, and the people are just acting. Blame it on the "special effects."

What has happened not only this week, but this entire year is just sick and wrong. Shootings in movie theatres, temples, malls, and now even elementary schools! Is nothing sacred anymore? Can't we have one place- just one place- that we shouldn't have to be worried or suspicious of?

I'm not going to waste my time wondering and worrying about why these things happened. I'm going to focus my energy on how to prevent them. It has to start with you. With me. With our families.

The lyrics to a Michael Jackson song come to mind when I think about this.

"I'm staring with the man in the mirror,/ I'm asking him to make a change,/ No message could've been any clearer,/ "If you want to make the world a better place,/ take a look at yourself, and make a change.""

So that's what I'm going to do. I'm going to do the best I can, with what I have and start with myself. I'm going to be more positive and help the people around me. I'm going to listen more if someone needs to talk, and do the very best I can to help them in their moment of need.

So take a moment to really think about what's important and hold your family close this holiday season. Be thankful for what you have, and express it to your loved ones.

To quote Inception: "You never know how much time you'll have."

My prayers are with those affected by both the Connecticut shooting, and the Clackamas shooting. I hope that somewhere in this dark hour, the families will be able to find peace and comfort and the strength to heal.

~Melanie