12-20-2012, 12:25 PM
[cool][#0000FF]You pretty much summed it up with the statement that we each need to make sense of something like this in our own way. Only the most heartless person would dismiss such tragedies as "not my concern".
It is said that most of our habits and actions can be attributed to either "nature or nurture"...heredity or environment. I believe we ultimately become the product of both our upbringing and the influences of whatever world we live in. And yes, I too believe that parental guidance and examples are key elements. But unfortunately, in our society, there are far too many children that grow up in single parent families...or no-parent families...without the benefit of daily positive coaching and reinforcement. Just as unfortunately, the pulls of negative peer group pressure and the abundance of harmful choices available to modern kids can influence young minds and pull them away from the standards taught by parents.
I would hate to be a kid growing up in today's society. Even worse, I would hate to be raising kids these days. First, I have already put in my time and made all my prerequisite mistakes...and I'm too damn old for that stuff now. But in my day things were far simpler and there were far fewer distractions...crime, drugs, violence on TV, decaying family values, etc. They have always been around but not as much "in your face". Add in the easy access to the "bad side" of the Internet, the daily dose of doom and gloom on the news and it is easy to see why kids become overwhelmed and discouraged about life.
Anxiety and depression are rampant...and not only among young people. But the young people who are acting out with public "statements" are simply less capable of coping. They are less likely to seek help from older people...whom they automatically distrust. So they hold it in until they explode.
Lest I come off as being too cynical, clinical and analytical, rather than someone who cares, let me assure you that this most recent atrocity DID really get to me. As a father and grandfather I died a little bit myself as the news of the shootings and aftermath unfolded. And each picture of the victims...who could have been my children or grandchildren...sent cold knives through my heart.
My first reaction when hearing that the shooter had taken himself out was "Good. Save the taxpayers a lot of money for a trial." But then I began to feel sorry for the young man who had done this. He did a terrible thing, but one can only guess at the forces that drove him to do it...and how much he was suffering inside. Not an excuse but possibly a reason. Who can ever really know what causes others to do what they do.
Like most of the world, I remain shocked and dismayed at what happened. I only wish I had an easy answer for a common-sense way to help insure that something like this will never happen again.
It brings
ness to a season that should be full of joy and family togetherness. The best we can do is be thankful that our loved ones are safe and still with us. The only real positive side of all this is that it serves to remind us that life is fragile and may be taken from us at any time. We need to be grateful for every day we are given and make the best of it. And we should never bypass an opportunity to let others know that we love and appreciate them in our lives...before we can no longer do so.
You began your post with: "[/#0000FF]A parent will take the credit for raising a child who excels at one thing or another"
[#0000FF]
That reminds me of one of my favorite quotes:
"Heredity is what the parent of a gifted child believes in."
[/#0000FF]
[signature]
It is said that most of our habits and actions can be attributed to either "nature or nurture"...heredity or environment. I believe we ultimately become the product of both our upbringing and the influences of whatever world we live in. And yes, I too believe that parental guidance and examples are key elements. But unfortunately, in our society, there are far too many children that grow up in single parent families...or no-parent families...without the benefit of daily positive coaching and reinforcement. Just as unfortunately, the pulls of negative peer group pressure and the abundance of harmful choices available to modern kids can influence young minds and pull them away from the standards taught by parents.
I would hate to be a kid growing up in today's society. Even worse, I would hate to be raising kids these days. First, I have already put in my time and made all my prerequisite mistakes...and I'm too damn old for that stuff now. But in my day things were far simpler and there were far fewer distractions...crime, drugs, violence on TV, decaying family values, etc. They have always been around but not as much "in your face". Add in the easy access to the "bad side" of the Internet, the daily dose of doom and gloom on the news and it is easy to see why kids become overwhelmed and discouraged about life.
Anxiety and depression are rampant...and not only among young people. But the young people who are acting out with public "statements" are simply less capable of coping. They are less likely to seek help from older people...whom they automatically distrust. So they hold it in until they explode.
Lest I come off as being too cynical, clinical and analytical, rather than someone who cares, let me assure you that this most recent atrocity DID really get to me. As a father and grandfather I died a little bit myself as the news of the shootings and aftermath unfolded. And each picture of the victims...who could have been my children or grandchildren...sent cold knives through my heart.
My first reaction when hearing that the shooter had taken himself out was "Good. Save the taxpayers a lot of money for a trial." But then I began to feel sorry for the young man who had done this. He did a terrible thing, but one can only guess at the forces that drove him to do it...and how much he was suffering inside. Not an excuse but possibly a reason. Who can ever really know what causes others to do what they do.
Like most of the world, I remain shocked and dismayed at what happened. I only wish I had an easy answer for a common-sense way to help insure that something like this will never happen again.
It brings
ness to a season that should be full of joy and family togetherness. The best we can do is be thankful that our loved ones are safe and still with us. The only real positive side of all this is that it serves to remind us that life is fragile and may be taken from us at any time. We need to be grateful for every day we are given and make the best of it. And we should never bypass an opportunity to let others know that we love and appreciate them in our lives...before we can no longer do so.You began your post with: "[/#0000FF]A parent will take the credit for raising a child who excels at one thing or another"
[#0000FF]
That reminds me of one of my favorite quotes:
"Heredity is what the parent of a gifted child believes in."
[/#0000FF]
[signature]