The events at Sandy Hook Elementary School have created an understandable and appropriate groundswell of emotion across the country. The image of young, innocent lives being taken in a final act of violence by a madman generates an appropriate element of outrage in the minds of thoughtful people.
The energy created by such emotion makes people want to act, because they believe action is necessary in order to create change, with the hope of preventing such an unthinkable crime in the future. The energy created by such emotion speaks well of the collective compassion of our generous nation; how pathetic would it be if such an unfathomable act of human destruction was perpetrated and created no outrage?
Good comes from such emotionally based energy. It can be the impetus for recognition of the fragile nature of life and the need to consciously value those for whom we care deeply. Such energy can motivate people to be more vigilant in terms of recognizing expression of dangerous or high-risk thoughts in others, and perhaps break the bonds, born out of politeness, that prevent good people from taking action in the face of subtle cries for help.
