Where do we go now?

After the storming of the US capital this week, there’s not much that hasn’t been said. But, what did you take away from these events and how did they make you think and feel? 

If you participated in, supported or otherwise weren’t horrified and disgusted by the violent, hate-filled, illogical, and terrorist actions taken by our fellow citizens, I implore you to take a deep look in the mirror and ask yourself…

• Why do you accept that violence is the answer in response to a political disagreement? 

• How do the behaviors and actions leading up to and during the riot align with your beliefs? 

• If you’re a spiritual or religious person, believing we’re all created equal and to love thy neighbor how do you accept the hatred, violence, and illegality of this situation? 

• Why do I accept the hypocrisy in law enforcement’s response to this event? The minimal use of force this week in comparison to BLM and racial injustice protests (law enforcement moving the barriers to allow the crowd in, taking selfies with rioters, and allowing these criminals to walk away en masse)?

• If you don’t believe the election results, why is that? What logic, facts, data, and past precedent lead you to a different conclusion? 

• Do you consume news and information that comes from reputable and credible sources? I.e. not the “facts” social media, personal blogs, message boards, or the first result in a targeted and biased to your view point online search? Do you seek out different perspectives from your own to form your own opinion?

When you ask yourself hard questions and answer honestly there’s much to be gained and learned. This is how we grow, change and better ourselves and society. Learning new information and changing your perspective is part of the human journey. It’s OK to be wrong and change your mind, actions and behaviors when you realize this. It’s not OK to put on blinders, ignore the problem, or benefit by the fact there’s so much suffering, hate, violence, and change needed in the world. You can be part of the solution, but you have to start with yourself.