Can I say Happy Hump Day today? I mean, my head is still swirling from how high my taxes are and the disaster that occurred at the Boston Marathon on Monday! Anybody feel the same way? How about regarding just the latter notion I mentioned? Already, the media and press in many areas are calling it “The Boston Marathon Massacre”. I’ve a friend in England who will probably be working security at the London Marathon scheduled in the next few days and she mentioned that she thought their security will be heightened substantially after this event’s tragedy.
How do things like this make you feel? Perhaps a bit insecure? Renowned sociologist Erich Fromm said: “Free man is by necessity insecure; thinking man by necessity uncertain.” Any thoughts on this anecdote? Well, being honest, just last night I was inclined to think that the idea of the conspiracy theory of all these catastrophic events that have been termed “Hell Week” in April, since we’ve experienced several events over the past 10 or more years during the same week in April, might have more claws, if you will. In other words, I have been feeling a bit more insecure since some of these things have happened … if only for a moment … then the reality sets in as Mr. Fromm noted. Then, like now, the Serenity Prayer takes hold of me as I had learned to embrace when struggling against some of my other demons … “God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference.”
How many ordinary people were in that marathon on Monday? Did you notice any of the extraordinary acts of kindness displayed amongst them? Several stories caught my attention from the “mob” that entered a candy store seeking protection and the owner said that people took yarn and wrapped the bleeding wounds caused by the shrapnel emitted from the pressure cooker bombs that exploded near the legs and lower parts of most people’s bodies. Others carried folks, like the football player who was highlighted in the news broadcasts I saw here. Still, others wheeled seniors and children, men and women to the make-shift triage areas originally designated for the marathon runners who may have been in need of medical attention due to the long run.
Needless to say, history was made again on Monday … peace be still! May the 8 year old little boy who was said to be waiting at the finish line for his father to complete the run, that lost his life as a result of the first blast … R I P … What lessons can we learn as a “civilization”? …. perhaps there are lessons this country could use … not to mention our individual lessons which remain upon us? In any case, I wish you a pleasant and peaceful Hump Day!
Namaste,
John I. Cook, Director
Educational Excellence 
Apr 17, 2013 @ 13:58:53
This event greatly motivated me to reflect and think about the impact I could have on changing my world. It left me feeling like there was something I should be doing rather than worrying about the financial shortfalls in my own life, I escpecially thought of the idea of losing your legs literally and figuratively at a marathon. Immediately I thought of the verse Ecclesiastes 9:11 …the race is not given to the swift or the battle to the strong” Now what is the irony of that 9-11 verse at this time? There is none. It is affirmation of an extraordinary work being done and needing to be done by ordinary people.
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Apr 17, 2013 @ 16:17:31
Hello Martina! Your reply is well accepted, my friend. I actually was a bit full of sorrow … even today, I had to wipe tears from my eyes. I know what Ecclesiastes says and means … it awakens the spirituality in me though the physical events of people losing lives, legs and loved ones saddened me deeply. Much truth in what you said … and thanks for sharing!
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