“Thoughts and Prayers”
On it’s own merits, the term “Thoughts and Prayers” is a wonderful thing to say. Lets think about what it says for a moment. It says that you will be sending your “Thoughts” to the other person as a way to help relieve the burdens and in hopes life gets better and easier for them. It also says that you’re “Prayers“ include them as you ask a higher power to intercede in their life to make it easier. Putting the two together in other words, means you’ll be sending as much positive energy as you know how to, in hopes their life will improve. So, the phrase “Thoughts and Prayers” is an incredibly powerful one, IF USED CORRECTLY.”
Having said that then, why are so many upset about people using it? From the media to politicians to entertainment figures to those huddled around the “water cooler,” many are “sick and tired” of hearing that term! (To be more precise, I don’t think they’re “sick and tired” of the term, it’s that they believe it’s being used as an excuse or diversion.)
To use only the term “Thoughts and Prayers” when you have the ability to add action to fix or make the problem better is what angers so many people. It angers me, to be honest!
This happens all the time in our day to day lives, when we say things and then skate away because it’s just easier that way. But, with the recent massacre in Las Vegas, I’ve heard this phrase over and over and over and over again by people who have had in the past, and currently do have the opportunity (and some would say obligation) to attach action to make it harder for this to happen again and don’t! Instead, they skate away by simply throwing out the phrase “Thoughts and Prayers.”
The time has come for all of us to demand action, especially in this area, no matter our political party, thoughts on gun ownership, etc. Look, I believe in gun rights for people. I don’t want to take our right to hunt or protect ourself away. My personal views stop however at how we can allow one man to kill 59 and injure close to 600 people within 15 minutes or how you can buy a kit to turn weapons into automatics or allow silencers, to name just a couple.
Now is the time to examine what out “Thoughts and Prayers” really mean.
Now is the time when we need to explain how we feel ESPECIALLY to those who disagree with.
Now is the time to LISTEN to those we disagree with.
Now is the time for our political leaders to STOP paying more attention to lobbyists than the American people.
Now is the time for insincerity to stop and heartfelt sincerity to take hold.
Now is the time to understand that sometimes what you want isn’t the right thing, sometimes it also is.
Now is the time we ask ourselves if our mind is Open or Closed. Then, listen closely for the true answer.
Now is the time to think past what might be good for you personally, but instead what is going to be the best for everyone. Those likeminded and not.
Now is the time to see what changes will make things better.
Now is the time to remember that everything can be improved but that will only happen if people like you are willing to listen, understand, access and adapt.
But, if you remember one thing I’ve said here, remember this…
Do you think for a moment that any of those people at the concert who were running for their lives and needed help or those who were shot, would have preferred those who helped them instead would have just offered their “Thoughts and Prayers?” Likewise, do you think any of them stopped to ask someone who bent down and picked them up and saved their lives what religion they were, what political party they belonged to, their race or views on the latest political “hot button” issues? Of course not! It even goes beyond all of us dropping the labels and uniting as Americans.
Now is the time to drop ALL of the labels and unite as HUMAN BEINGS!
As I said earlier, the term “Thoughts and Prayers” is used in our everyday lives.
Sometimes offering our “Thoughts and Prayers” is all we can do. Here’s a simple test…
If on the end of the phrase “Thoughts and Prayers,” you add…
“So this is how I’d like to help” or “Tell me how I can help” and probably a million more. Whenever we see those in need, we must always ask ourselves “What can I do help?”
Sometimes it’s hard to do that. Sometimes it’s even impossible to know if it might be necessary at all.
Sometimes we wonder when the right time to ask is.
Here’s, the answer…
For the sake of those involved in the shooting rampage in Las Vegas or Paris or Manchester or Orlando. For the sake of our kids. For the sake of our parents. For the sake of those involved in problems big or small, famous or not and with people we don’t know or those we are intimate with. Here is the answer…
NOW IS THE TIME!
NOW IS THE TIME!
Peace
Gregg