Relative Something

To read spur of the moment online reactions to tragedies unfolding this day and age one can get the perception that events in the world are more extreme than ever. Certainly, to everyone alive today, current catastrophes are extreme, but putting it in perspective of the span of time tempers that level of outrageous indignation over horrific events.

My initial reaction upon learning of the SUV speeding into the Christmas parade in Waukesha, Wisconsin was that I didn’t want to go to any more parades ever again. But think about it. How many parades have happened without tragedy? Dare I say the answer could be innumerable parade celebrations?

There have been parade tragedies before this one and there will be parade tragedies in the future. There have been outrageous trial verdicts, civil wars, domestic abuse, and dictatorial oppression. All are an insult to our sensibilities. The empathic response is to recoil in shared pain for those suffering.

Tragedies are a reality in the world that we must always remember to offset with the realities of joy and blessings that simultaneously exist. At the instant injuries are occurring, witnesses and first responders lovingly react to nurse wounds and support the aggrieved.

There is more peace and love happening in the world at every given moment than can ever receive equal attention from every newsfeed and mass media outlet that jump on each tragedy-du-jour.

Based on the endless breaking news feeds, perception is not reality.

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