FEAR

FEAR.

noun

1.

a distressing emotion aroused by impending danger, evil, pain, etc., whether the threat is real or imagined; the feeling or condition of being afraid.

It's what keeps us from reaching out. It keeps us from following our dreams. It keeps us from trusting. It keeps us from traveling. It keeps us hostage. Ultimately, it limits the human capacity to live in so many ways.

I am afraid of being afraid to live my life, especially after the terrorist attack experienced in Las Vegas last night. I feel helpless. I cannot wrap my head around this terror. I woke up last night at 12:02 and saw the news. My stomach dropped as I realized so many of my friends were there, along with my little sister. Even after I learned that everyone I knew was safe, I could not go back to bed. Fear enveloped me and made it close to impossible to fall asleep knowing that people's lives were being taken from them while they least expect it. True, disgusting torture. All day, this feeling is not leaving the pit of my stomach. Even at work, as we talk about it at the conference table I can't help but grow frustrated with everybody arguing over guns and gun laws, etc.

YOU CANNOT MAKE "EVIL" ILLEGAL. Evil will live on. Guns aren't evil, people are.

Unfortunately, there was not a thing that could have prevented it from happening. The venue took all necessary precautions to keep danger out but probably never even thought twice of danger coming from a hotel window that doesn't even open. That took a lot of sick, strategic planning and evil found its way in.

Is it the venue’s fault for not being proactive and thinking about a terrorist shooting at a crowd of innocent people from a local hotel room with no balcony? Absolutely not. Evil exists, and sadly there is nothing we can do to stop or prevent it. Does this mean that we stop living our lives the way we want to live? I suggest, no.

If you spend your entire life in fear of terrorism - terrorism wins. Be cautious and be smart, but don't be afraid. Evil will continue to exist, and your life will soon be too occupied with fear to develop into the person you are meant to be, meet the people you are meant to meet, and the experiences that will make your life worth living - a life that will make others proud to have known you.

We cannot live in fear. Evil things happen, and sadly tragedies are called tragedies for that exact reason. There is not much we can do to prevent evil people from doing evil things. Unfortunately evil is very real. And what is even more unfortunate is that evil hosts itself deeper in some peoples intentions than others. People are sick, and cruel, and disgusting. I cannot even wrap my head around the senseless hatred that one person must have felt in order to justify a massacre of that nature.

With all of that being said, I still believe that there are more good people in this world than there are evil (besides the news). I have faith that we can do better, be better, and work towards a more positive future together. In times of terror, tragedy, and fear we can put aside our differences to come together and embrace community. The people that are there to help rebuild and recover after tragedy strikes.

My heart breaks for the families that have lost their loved ones. My thoughts go out to the people who have been traumatized by this horrific act of terror. May you find strength in your community to rebuild and confidence in yourself to recover from this trauma. Don't let fear win. Ever.

#lasvegas #route91 #united #hopeful