It feels weird to be normal on a day like today, the day after which hundreds of people were injured or killed for no reason. It just feels strange to be living a normal, safe life.
A huge majority of the world is in pain, sorrow and disbelief after yet another terrorist attack on one of the world's most renowned cities, Paris, France, and I'm just going about my day-to-day life on the other side of the world. It's almost like nothing happened; it's so far off. It just feels strange. I, much like the rest of the world, am simply in shock.
What does someone do when they're halfway around the world and hears about more than a hundred people being murdered and more than a hundred more injured? How can someone in a current state of shock, confusion and displacement help?
I'm not sure, but I know these things:
1) We can be sad, but we can't be scared
2) We can take a moment to really feel what it felt like on Sept. 11, 2001 and really empathize with our friends in France
3) We can pray for Paris
In moments of terror, shock and pain, we can stand strong, we can surround those that need to be surrounded in support and we can pray for a peace that transcends all understanding. We can take heart in knowing that there is hope in the future, and that hope leads us as we move forward.
It's easy to dwell on how ugly this world can be, but in the future, I pray that Paris can take heart in how beautiful the world can be when humanity comes together to love on people in need.
-Cliff
-Cliff's Note: Pray for Paris.