Good morning, Monday. It was a hard weekend on so many levels- tired from work stress of course, but really impossible to comprehend what we as a country and as families and parents and childrens and human beings have experienced as a result of the horrible events in Connecticut.
If this year's election is any indicator, we are a divisive bunch. I think there's some perverse pride in that- that we can argue about whatever we want to because we are free. And though I thank the Lord for that, we are in big trouble on so many other levels it's absolutely terrifying.The mind almost can't process the unspeakable acts of a person that was in himself, a child. I'm finding it hard to discuss any of this really but what I want to say is this- the death of children for no reason is not polarizing, or it simply can't be. I don't care what color you are, how much money you have, what team you bat for, what political party you root for. I don't care if you're a Yankees fan, Mets fan, Nets Fan, Knicks fan, or Lakers fan. I don't care if you like west coast better than east coast, Brooklyn better than Manhattan, or the Upper East vs. the Upper West. It makes no difference if you eat carbs, gluten, run marathons, or sit quietly at home watching Bravo. I care not if you work in advertising, metalworking, butchering, or dog sitting. Because whoever you are and whatever you do, this catastrophe has to have hit a chord with you- a deep chord that will play for many years to come. In the days after 9/11, I was living in New York- and we were united. United that some force of evil came into our hometown and took away our friends and family. Cut to now, and somehow, that same feeling of needing to band together- for comfort, strength, and most of all to overcome.
It's not simply a matter of gun control or mental health- it's about practicing compassion. It's little things like holding the door for somebody, helping them with their bag, and teaching your children that we are all worthy of love and kindness and respect. People talk about the Mayans and the fact that the world is due to end on Friday. I think it some ways, it ended last week. Or at least the world as we knew it- a world where admittedly we talk about everything and anything on social networks but have lost the ability to truly connect. It's hard to think about children and brave adults losing their lives so we can start loving each other, but that's the only way I can get through this. THIS MUST NEVER HAPPEN AGAIN. There are going to be crazy people, there are going to be people who shoot guns, there are going to be Tarantino movies and violent video games and twisted shit. But ladies and gentlemen- THIS MUST NEVER HAPPEN AGAIN. We need to teach kindness in every school right along with math and science. For years, we've been fearful that the Chinese and every other nation is leaps ahead of our young people when it comes to test scores and achievements and education that prepares us for the future. I'll tell you what- learning how to be a decent human being and infusing learning with some spirituality (I'm not talking about religion here) on how to treat others is just beyond necessary. How so many lives were taken is so out of my mental framework and all of yours- the only thing we can do is be better human beings because of it.
You may find this idealistic- I hear you. I'm still angry as hell and feel anxiety every time I pick up the paper or turn on the television. It's too much to take and it's horrid. But if we all start doing things to make this country and the world a better place, we're going to heal. I'd argue that educating al lof us on how to be kind and non-violent is every bit as important as adding 1 +1. I'm sitting on a plane right now for LA and praying for all of those little souls and grown souls, and praying for those of us left here to come to terms with this unspeakable tragedy.Please be kind to someone today- even if you don't know them, even if you don't like the way they look or don't approve of the way they eat carbs or whatever silly terms of judgement we employ on a daily basis. It's the only way.
That and making sure each and every American has zero access to guns and 100% access to stellar mental health treatment and awareness. Really, that's all I've got this still sad and broken kind of Monday 30,000 feet above Earth. We shall overcome, because what other choice do we have? Oh, and take it easy on yourself, while we're at it. Amdist so much stress, basic human kindness starts with none other than the way you treat that special someone- yourself.The time is now. XO