By Linda Commito
Sometimes in the midst of inexplicable cruelty, the total disregard for life, the senseless killing of innocent people…it’s hard to remember that we have a choice. Do we want to live in love or fear?
The shootings in Paris, like so many incomprehensible acts of violence, could easily have shut us down. As we watched the disturbing news from the safety of our homes, it felt as though an impenetrable angst lay over our psyches.
Yet amidst the scenes of dead bodies, empty streets, rapid-fire loss of innocence, there is hope. We may have wondered:
If this is our new reality, what, if anything, can we do to live our lives in a way that will make a positive difference?
Darkness cannot eclipse the light. Acts of kindness, enlightened perspectives, the willingness to help those in need, the decisions to not give up—to love no matter what…are beacons of light in a darkened world.
In the news, two young French women relate their unique experiences:
One young woman defiantly faces the camera stating, “We will continue to live our lives without fear. We are strong and will not let them win.”
Another young woman survived the shootings in the concert hall by pretending to be dead, holding her breath for as long as she was able. Aware that at any moment, her young life could be over, she lay on the floor, where only minutes before—“people were dancing, happy to be together…There was a lot of love in the theater.”
Determined that if she were to die, she would die with a message of love rather than one of fear:
“I thought of every person that I loved and whispered: I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you…”
As we face our own fears, especially about death, perhaps there is no greater hope than the courage to fully express who we are as conscious human beings who choose love.
I choose love.
Linda Commito, author, speaker, entrepreneur, consultant and teacher, is passionate about her vision to leave this world a kinder, more loving, and interconnected place. Her award-winning book of inspirational stories, Love is the New Currency, demonstrates how we can each make an extraordinary difference in the lives of others through simple acts of love and kindness. Linda believes that in order to inspire a kinder world the place to start is with children. She recently volunteered at a Title One elementary school, working with over 500 students, to create and facilitate “Kindness Starts With Me,” the results of which include a website (www.kindnessstartswithme.com) and a book for children. Also visit www.loveisthenewcurrency.com for more information and/or to sign up for an uplifting monthly newsletter.