As I write this, we’ve been focused on graduation for two weeks, our eyes on a group of young people filled with hope as their families, friends and communities launch them into the future.
Also as I write this, my news feed is overflowing with reports of children and teachers, who were murdered today at an elementary school in Texas.
Lives cut needlessly short. So we offer “thoughts and prayers” and commence arguing with each other, over and over again, until the shock and awe recedes and we forget.
Don’t get me wrong, thoughts and prayers are needed, and they help those who are hurting. Thoughts and prayers are like air bags in the car. They help cushion the blow, but they don’t help us avoid the next incident.
By all means, send thoughts and prayers, but let’s also see if we can figure out how to stop falling into the same hole.
I walk down the street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I fall in.
I am lost… I am helpless.
It isn’t my fault.
It takes forever to find a way out.
I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I pretend I don’t see it.
I fall in again.
I can’t believe I am in the same place.
But, it isn’t my fault.
It still takes me a long time to get out.
I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I see it is there.
I still fall in. It’s a habit.
My eyes are open.
I know where I am.
It is my fault. I get out immediately.
I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I walk around it.
I walk down another street.”
~ Portia Nelson
There’s a Hole in My Sidewalk: The Romance of Self-Discovery
By NIKI TURNER – editor@editorht1885.com
