I just posted a video last week that said my blog was all about fun and happiness. I don’t usually write about things going on in the world that make me sad because there are enough other bloggers who do that and do that well.
But after the recent horrific events in Paris, Beirut, Syria and Kenya (from April) I found myself being drawn into the news media again. One of the things about our world today is the simple fact that we are connected. We are so connected that we are aware of tragedies almost in real time. We get drawn into the coverage and can quickly be sucked into watching every single update and news report.
It is very easy to fall prey to the sadness that can sweep over everyone when something as horrible as the weekend’s events occur. I am the first to admit that it is hard to not watch the updates. I want to be informed but it hurts. It really hurts to watch the pain and suffering.
I have seen so many things in my Facebook news feed and on Twitter that make me realize that sometimes I just need to step back and take a break. When I begin to feel that the seriousness and the sadness is overtaking me I need to step back and re-evaluate if all of this exposure is healthy. Sometimes it is important to be a part of the events happening around me but it is also important to remain positive.
If I give into the fear of living life because of the horrible things that happen then I shut down. I choose to not do that. I choose to pray for all of those people affected, to lift them up in prayer and to do my bit to make a change in my little corner of the world. I have hope. There is always hope.
The events that are publicized that are horrible are not the whole picture. It is not all bad in our world. There is so much good. So I choose to focus on the good. A story always surfaces during times like this that quotes Fred Rogers. When he was young his mother told him that in times of great sadness or tragedy he should always look for the helpers. Those are the people who are jumping in during times of great need. Those are the stories we need to look for and listen to. Those are the stories that share hope.
So today while I grieve for the people who have suffered so unfairly I also look forward with hope. Without hope what do we have? Nothing. God is good. He is there. Always. And because I know that truth I have hope. I hope you do as well.
25 Comments
Leave a commentOh I agree! I kept listening to the news, my heart kept sinking. I knew that it was time to turn it off, for a while. Praying for the situations seemed a better choice than listening to the same details. I understand that need to know the latest! And it was a hard choice to turn off.
You present this so well, Beth!
Thanks for your thoughts. It is so hard to watch this type of stuff unfold. There has to be a balance somehow.
We were traveling that day and didn’t have the radio on. So it wasn’t until 4:30 the next morning when I was checking Facebook and saw all these postings, at that point I tried to turn on the TV at our hotel but it was being difficult and wouldn’t come on, (sometimes I am remote illiterate )! Anyway, my heart just sank as I googled Paris. Sad for our world and angry at these crazy fanatics. But I agree with you, if I fret about waiting for the next shoe to fall (and it probably will) then I have allowed these nuts to win. I choose Life and I will continue to pray for all those affected by this tragedy and for God to wrap them in his loving embrace.
I am glad I am not alone. It is easy to get sucked into the dads and I, like you, need to focus on life while being aware of what is happening and being empathetic. I think you can do both. Thanks for your input.
Very well said, Beth Ann. Thank you. This is one of the reasons I am so glad that the TV is no longer in the living room! I read that quote about looking for the helpers just today and loved it!
Thanks for stopping by. I do watch a lot of news shows and try to stay on top of things but there is a time to pull back. Love the quote as well.
Well written. I also choose not to dwell on the bad in the world. It can’t be good to do that. Thanks for the reminder to look for the good: it’s there!
It is not good to watch the TV too much when you get the hews we are now getting. We do need to be caring for the people that are being killed and keep them in our prayers. I agree too much time watching it hurts us. We must pray and pray that this will stop!
Well put my friend. I too can´t watch the news at times like this and had to stay away from facebook for a while. I needed to hear what you had to say. Sending hugs.
I think there are a lot of people like us who have to step away. IT does not mean we don’t care – not at all. It just means we need to take a break and refocus. We all have our own ways of dealing with things like this.
[…] writing this post last night, when I read one just published by my blogging friend, Beth Anne (It’s Just Life). In her post, she mentioned the tragedy in Paris, but wrote that, in events like that, she looks […]
True words. Along with those who experienced such, which the media has more than brought to our attention, my heart breaks for those whose plight is overlooked for some strange reason. Not 24 hours previous (to the Paris event), there were 2 bombings in Beirut (see: http://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/16/world/middleeast/beirut-lebanon-attacks-paris.html?_r=0 ). Yes, those lives count equally, but the Western press has chosen to select another incident resulting in the appropriate flag colored overlays and blue/white/red lightings sighted throughout our blessed country…..and the world! I have to ask “why”. We see many signs that read “——— lives count!” in so many unfortunate media accounts. Do the victims who happen to reside in certain other towns/locales ‘not count’??? The response is…..Yes! Of course!!! It is merely the media shaping our personal world views.
You are correct. It is time to be informed but to “unplug” from those outlets that serve only to put us in an almost catatonic state of hand-wringing and remember that, although I am ‘only’ one; I AM one and can make a difference in the small corner of this turf in which I’ve been placed by an all-wise and loving Father!!!!!!
Thanks, Doreen. It is so hard for me to not be drawn in and overwhelmed. There are horrible things that happen in our world every single day that we don’t even have a clue about. That does not mean they are any less horrific. All i can do is continue to pray for peace and for the safety of all. And yes–trying to show and share love and compassion in my corner of the world, just like you . Hugs.
Hope. Yes!
This is great. There should be some focus on the hero’s in all this as you said.
I totally agree. Thanks for stopping by!
Great post and exactly what I have been thinking. Prayers and hope to all!
Great post Beth Ann. I couldn’t agree with you more. News reporters these days are always, always trying to get the first interview, picture, etc. While they are trying to do their job, it’s also become somewhat of a competition between stations, reporters, etc. That’s when the overload comes in, as one begins to see the same video played over and over again. While we want to stay informed, it does seem to shift into overload rather quickly. Dont take me wrong here, what those criminals did to Paris and other areas, is horrendous and those perpertrators that are still at large, must be captuted and held accountable. Yes, when there’s uglInes like this, there’s beauty waiting to behold. We must put our faith in God and do what we can in our part of the world to make it a better place.
Thanks for the great words. I think you and I think so much alike on this and I love what you wrote. Thanks for sharing!
Well said! Thanks for your uplifting words and spirit. Keep hope alive.
Well thank you, Josh!
Hope always remains! 🙂
I so like the comments as they show you care about those that are in danger and are praying for them. Just keep praying and trust God.
I totally agree 🙂 Great reminder!
Thanks!