Words are powerful. They can be used to edify and encourage or they can break down and destroy.
My guess is that the young man who has devastated and angered our country by taking the lives of 28 very young victims was on the receiving end of more words of the latter kind and too few of the former. My belief is that we can prevent another tragedy from occurring if we will have the courage to recognize that the way we treat one another is part of the cycle that leads to this violence.
The young man who is responsible for the massacre of schoolchildren was in a terrible place. I can only imagine that he must have felt enraged, isolated and alone. He did not get that way all by himself. Had a few more caring people been in his life, encouraging him along the way, we might not be talking about this right now. So here is what I am asking of you: if you really want to do something to help in the wake of this tragedy, start by making sure you aren’t contributing to the next person losing it.
For the next 28 days, give up anger. Give up sarcasm and snark. Quit pontificating and start encouraging. Speak kindly to everyone you meet and offer a word to a person you might otherwise pass by. Curb your tongue for 28 days – one for each of the victims (that we know so far) and see how quickly the world starts to change.
This began as a Facebook post, but I believe in my heart that we can change the world one compassionate moment at a time. I love you guys and I don’t want to go through this again.
Update: The world is responding! Ann Curry suggested 26 acts of kindness for each of the kids/teachers at the school. While I think it is a mistake to leave Adam and his mother out of our effeorts (more on that later) I will take 26 acts of kindness over none any day of the year!!! Go Ann! Thank you to anyone who does better by their neighbor in honor of the memories of those lost to us in Newtown.
28 Days for Newtown 
You know, on the one hand you claim words contributed to this tragic young man’s actions. Then you refer to him as a “devilish fiend”. Seriously? I can think of a lot of factors besides bullying that may possibly have contributed to his actions: a prepper paranoid for a mother, divorce/broken family/loss of father figure in his life on a regular basis, being raised in a household where guns were glorified and the kids were exposed to them, even trained to use them, as a means to solve problems.
Yes, I agree. Too many people use their words like this young man used bullets, and we should all check our tongues. But please stop referring to Adam Lanza as a fiend or a demon or pure evil, or any number of the phrases parents of autistic & Aspergers children, or children suffering from other mental illnesses are being bombarded with 24/7 right now.
I appreciate your comment. I wrote those words before anyone knew anything about Adam’s possible condition or what could have contributed to his mental state and motives. And yes, they were written at the height of my own emotional turmoil. They have been removed.
I appreciate that you pointed out my error. I’m sorry that you are hurting so much and that this ordeal hits home for you. Know that I agree with you. There will be quite a few more vicitms of this shooting if the media continues on its rampage to find someone/something to blame for this. It is going to get worse before it gets better, unfortunately. That is why we have to be gentle with each other and look out for each other and take care of each other. If we don’t, who will?
I am making the change to that post and I hope that my sincere effort to correct my own mistakes is received by you in the spirit with which I intend it. I am on your side. Peace!
Jen, thanks for speaking up and setting a great example for all of us. I had a similar idea (thanks to Ann Curry’s suggestion) and created my own blog, 26acts.blogspot.com. Hopefully many of us can inspire others to do good, and gradually we will make the world a nicer place, one kind act at a time. 🙂
We have to work together! Thank you!