Killing With Kindness

In the wake of a local tragedy, the shooting at Umpqua Community College, we hear once again the need for gun control. Yet, anyone who follows these tragedies knows, that gun control will not solve the problem. The shooter had several guns and all obtained legally. Obviously that is not the problem. Nor is arming ourselves a solution.

The news is doing what is most appropriate. Covering the victims and not giving the shooter whatever fame his 15 minutes would allow. The story here is the generosity of spirit that comes from the heart of a community. They are killing with kindness. 

A group of teenagers in Eugene, OR. decided to form a club, Random Acts of Kindness, at their high school Their goal was to create a chain reaction of acts of kindness in their community.

Hertel, a senior at Sheldon High School and the club founder, says. “So we thought by doing random acts of kindness, we could totally change someone’s day or life and they could pay it forward to someone else. And one person at a time, we could make the world better.”

We have all heard the term Pay it forward. But today, in Roseburg, and in other communities where these shooting tragedies become reality, the theory is put to practice.

Changing the world one person at a time, is not easy and often comes at the devastating expense of such tragedy, but perhaps it is the one effect we can make without the obstacles of lobbyists, NRA enthusiasts and Second Amendment gun toters.

We are losing the ability to trust. We have dwindling resources for mental health. 

Killing with kindness may be our only true effective means of at least feeling like we are doing something. In Charleston, South Carolina, the horrific mass murder of church goers has been an example of forgiveness that sets the tone. We don't need permission, regulations or legislation to proceed with these acts of kindness. Obviously, we can't change the entire world. There will always be those who act without conscience. If we can face each day, with kindness as our first thought...how can I help, maybe that is the best we can do to stop the unfathomable violence that is becoming too much the norm.

As an entire country wonders what they can do, let's try something that costs the government nothing, doesn't require a vote, and can be a strength that ripples across from border to border. This is what makes America great. I have no answers. I am willing to change this deadly course in our country and communities, by firing a smile, offering a hand, volunteering, speaking and writing about alternatives. Let's do this and teach our children a different path to peace.