What can I do?

Yesterday, my view of the world changed. For too long I've been numb to the violence happening all over the world to human beings. When tragedy strikes somewhere else, it's easy to move on quickly or think that it doesn't pertain to you. I am guilty of that. But when it happens in your own city, where you call home, that's when it gets real. And clear. So loud and clear, that the perception of the city you once thought would never display such disregard for human decency is altered forever.

I ask myself, what can I do? I'm one person.
I see all the hate and confusion and brokenness. And I feel helpless because I want to do something. But I am one person. What can I do?

Then a friend reminded me, I am a teacher.

Reading, writing,  math, science, and social studies are subjects I teach. But I also teach my students compassion, friendship, understanding, and forgiveness. They learn how to be good citizens, make mistakes, try again, and even fail. They learn that it's ok to disagree but never to hate each other. Never to be unkind.

I teach them to respect one another. To build relationships and engage with those around them. Focus more on people rather than things. To go outside their bubble and think in different perspectives. Care about others and help those who need it the most.

I want them to appreciate other cultures and celebrate their unique culture as well.
That we are all different, but uniquely equal.

There's a certain burden in knowing that we have the power to make choices that will shape the world which will one day belong to these children. But it's a burden I am willing to bear.
Yesterday, I said my view of the world changed. Because I realized I can no longer stand in the corner and keep wondering what I can do.

I need to make a difference as an educator to these precious young minds who will in turn shape the future for their children.

"The world is indeed full of peril, and in it there are many dark places; but still there is much that is fair, and though in all lands love is now mingled with grief, it grows perhaps the greater."