The title of this blog – such is the refrain of book store owners, Christian oriented businesses, coffee house venues etc. What’s an author to do? They don’t get it!
Definition of Uplifting – “Morally or spiritually elevating; Inspiring happiness or hope”
People who are not impacted by crime cringe at the mere mention of murder. They may not watch the news as “It’s all bad.” “It makes me sad.” “I want to protect my children.” Well, their “Candyland existence” does not work when pitted against the realities of life.
The key is balance – To expose ourselves and our children to the realities, to be proactive, but not be possessed or obsessed by the evils, to appreciate, to have empathy, to get involved with a cause that is related in order to change the world for the better!
Granted, it is very challenging for adults to make sense of the seeming random, senseless violence happening all around us. How can we possibly explain to our children? The act of murder, is not uplifting whatsoever. HOWEVER, the pathway to resolution and the positive byproducts in the aftermath can be very rewarding, enriching and give one’s life real purpose, and meaning that honors your loved one in a way you had never imagined!
It does our children no favors to overexpose them to the chaos in our world. Nor does it prepare them for life in 2017 to “live in a bubble of your own unrealistic creation.”
Tips to bridge the Gap-
- Know and appreciate resiliency- Point out examples to your children and try to model it in your own behavior and when you encounter difficult situations. Stress that life is not always happy, but that there is always a way to “find the sunshine on the other side” if you problem solve!
- Use opportunities to make ourselves and our children aware within our community “when bad things happen to good people” by participating in fund raising events, vigils, marathons, searches, rallies with a hopeful, positive message;
- Seize opportunities to meet others – even one person that has a different life experience as a result of crime and make a friend. Your local crime victim advocate may be able to pair you with a person who would best benefit from such a pairing. Typically someone in the acute phases of grief may really needs someone to listen, not advice, (which can be intense). Alternately, if you meet them with much space and time between the crime and your meeting, you will gain much insight into how others cope…and still manage their life in spite of…It’s amazing what you will learn from such a relationship!
- Instill hope in the aftermath of crime and tragedy, for that truly is God’s Grace at work;
- Join a non-profit organization that needs volunteers in order to gain exposure and insight. The positives far outweigh the crime itself when everyone is working toward a common goal. Many talents and skills are needed – small and large, so don’t be shy! You will receive far more than you give, guaranteed! In addition, you often build lifelong relationships! One fine example is the repeated winner of Great Non-Profits.org- The Cue Center for Missing Persons- http://www.ncmissingpersons.org/about/
- Reviews from Great Non-Profits – Very Uplifting! http://greatnonprofits.org/org/community-united-effort-cue
Other References –
https://www.amazon.com/Grief-Diaries-Surviving-Loss-Homicide/dp/1944328149
http://www.dictionary.com/browse/uplifting?s=t
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Donna R. Gore 