I’m not from Boston. I lived there for a few years, and I loved it so much that I’ve always said I’d move back in a heartbeat. That sentiment hasn’t changed.
Whenever there’s a tragedy in the world, our souls tend to seek connection. Being human is usually enough, and anything beyond that only deepens our empathy. Trying to resist – for self-preservation, or any other reasons – just doesn’t work. We do have souls, and we are human. To quote the Borg, “Resistance is futile.”
We’re told the world is a scary place. That there are bad people. We have to watch our backs. Be ever vigilant. Who can we trust? Will we ever feel safe again?
After the bombing at the Boston Marathon, Mr. Patton Oswalt posted his feelings and that piece was shared and read by millions. Personally, I loved some of his closing words, stating that the good people of the world will always outnumber the bad. He was so right, and being reminded of this touched me deeply. As the horror and confusion in Boston continued yesterday morning, I held his words in my heart.
We are never going to fully understand what drives people to harm others. Even if that abhorrent behavior could be explained to us, our souls wouldn’t be able to comprehend, because choosing to hurt another human soul will never make sense.
The good people of the world will always outnumber the bad. Always. We don’t get very much press – that’s reserved for the few bad apples in the world – but make no mistake: we are the majority on this planet. Our souls are big and beautiful. Our capacity for love, for empathy – is limitless. It’s why we care. Why we connect. Why we will always, always, always pray, hope and care for the injured and harmed.
Boston will eventually recover. The good people of that town will regain their balance and their lives will go on. No one will forget, but forgetting isn’t the point. Life is the point. And Boston is a city of life, of living. This bit of ugliness does nothing to diminish the beauty of that metropolitan life.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: I’d move back to Boston in a heartbeat. Honestly. In a heartbeat.