The Situation of the World
Pondering my current status and the situation of our world. My mind bounces from mentioning the most recent hate crimes; the deadly attack in a New Jersey kosher market or the graffiti espousing hate at the Temple Ahavat Shalom in Northridge, CA – to the kindness activities being created by our Kindness Youth Leadership Team as part of our 6th annual SevenDays® Make a Ripple, Change the World experience – to, the pull on my heart to discuss the painful journey our family continues since the 2014 murders of my father, William L Corporon, MD, my son, Reat Underwood and Terri LaManno, in Overland Park, KS – to, the in-depth work I am creating with Lisa Cooper, to discover as many possible opportunities in healing for those like me who have experienced significant life disruptions with the creation of Workplace Healing, LLC. – to the efforts of those working against hate by increasing our knowledge of white supremacism and as importantly, how to thwart it.
Stopping Hate, One Ripple at a Time
I know of evil in our world. Yes, there is evil. We are not born evil, yet one can be trained or taught evil and hate. Why? How do we help stop the proliferation of hateful thoughts, words and deeds? How do we infiltrate the minds of those so filled with pain and hurt that they inflict pain and hurt on others? I don’t know all the answers, but I continue to seek them. Each of us can make a difference. We can make a difference one action at a time, or as we like to say in SevenDays® lingo, ONE RIPPLE AT A TIME.
I can see peace. I can see how we can achieve it…in the acknowledgments of one another as humans. From the cry of a baby to the unsteady walk of an elderly person with a cane…no matter the language, the culture, the country…these are the same. The gift of an organ from a human losing their life, either suddenly or not, provides life to another no matter the language, culture, or country. A grandfather protecting his grandson with the grip of his hand, an arm on his shoulder, or with the knowledge of life…no matter the language, the culture, the country…these are the same. As humans, we should desire respect for ourselves and others. Respect that does not cause harm to self or others. As humans, we have a responsibility to help those less fortunate than ourselves, whether this be through birth or financial consequence. “To whom much is given, much is expected”- Luke 12:48. My parents modeled this for me. I worked to model this for my boys and now my living son, Lukas.
Also seeking and finding peace are many who have come into my life, uplifting me and my work to make our world a better place. I am thankful to engage with and support not only the actions of Christian Picciolini, Jacqueline Murekatete, Gini Bonnell, Sunayana Dumala, and Izzeldin Abuelaish but numerous others working for togetherness, kindness, calling for forgiveness, and actionable steps forward to a more peaceful world. I am thankful to call each of them my friends, too!
As holidays are celebrated and 2019 ends…consider how YOU will make a difference in your own life in 2020 and the steps you will take to make a positive difference in the lives of others.
I will be engaging with SevenDays® Make a Ripple, Change the World, speaking professionally as a purveyor of resilience, forgiveness, and kindness, and focused on the innovative ABLE™ Conversation created by Workplace Healing, LLC.
Together, we are better.
Jacqueline Murekatete
Forever Welcome
Daughters for Life Foundation
Christian Picciolini
The photo is of my happy family, finding joy this holiday season. Knowing love overcomes!
-Mindy
