solving the world issues...

it will be very difficult

(as I do not believe in the word impossible, it is not used but if a situation was ever close to deserving this terrible word this is it)

to fix all the world's problems.

and that's not all bad.

what? are you saying you are ok with the terrible things that happen every day in our society.

Not at all, I wish for a day without war, where every child has the chance to be whatever they choose in a clean and healthy environment. Where no one feels un-loved. Where there are no judgments. Where we accept everyone as equals.

However, as I watch Tuscon mourn the horrific loss of 10 life's (with others still fighting in hospital)and I see America (and other parts of the world) come together as a community in a time of sorrow I realize, like it or not, these horrible events occur and they make us dig deep, find our strengths and reach out to our neighbours.

We find the strength in ourselves, the strength in our communities, both immediate and global. Terrible events bring people together and allows many individuals the opportunity to re-focus on the importance of life and the responsibility we all have to look out for each other and take ownership of the words (and visuals) that we use.

We (society) do not allow these horrific events do go unnoticed. We grief, we honour and we recognize the losses to many hurting families tonight.

I wish with all my heart that we did not need to suffer horrible losses to reinforce the importance of living every moment we are on this earth fully.

Unfortunately though, our emotions are based on opposites.

We would not know what JOY was without SADNESS

PEACE without WAR

LOVE without LOSS

SWEET without SOUR

STRENGTH without WEAKNESS

FREEDOM without OPPRESSION

I send my thoughts and prayers to all people suffering tonight, not only in Tuscon, but in Southern Sudan where they are fighting for democracy, to the homeless who are braving minus 20 degree weather in Calgary, to children who feel unloved and to all others that need a positive thought thrown their way.

Know that whatever horrible thing you are going through right now will end, everything, good or bad comes to an end at some point.

Every word in your story, every chapter, every event means something and it will define who you were and what you believed in during your time on this earth.

Without adversity you would not be here today. Everything you do and feel is making you stronger and preparing you for the next test, and there will be one, I promise you that.

* if you are not aware of what is happening in Tuscon, Arizona, click here

I also ask that you take a moment to pray (or whatever you feel is appropriate) for those that are hurting tonight in our world. Hang on a little tighter to your children and be grateful for the love we have in our lives.