Hi guys. Sorry, this isn't an update, but I encourage you to read on because I am going to be discussing a few very important matters that I know you guys have definitely heard about and something that goes along the lines with that. It has nothing to do with the story, but it's something very important to me and I think it may help.
As most of you have heard, there was a massacre in Connecticut and China yesterday. Beautiful lives were taken through and act of selfishness and, most likely, a lack of mental health.
Mental health is extremely important, more important than physical in my opinion. I am not putting the blame on that man. Do you know why? Because he was not cared about enough or paid attention to enough to receive the proper care and treatment he needed. By no means does this justify the horrific acts that these two men committed, because the only being that has any say whatsoever in these matters is God. But, too many of these events have happened because people were not in their right mind, were angry, upset, traumatized, resentful, etc. I believe that if a person has an emotion strong enough, they will let that emotion guide them in their everyday life. So, if a person was bullied their whole life and they all of a sudden got an opportunity to get even, they most likely would.
So, the point I'm trying to make by this is that, if you know someone or you are dealing with a problem that is causing mental trauma, I am begging you to tell an adult or if you believe that you can help this person, then I believe that you should go ahead and do it. Tell a counselor anonymously, tell a parent or an adult. I have a friend who was going through a rough time and was threatening to kill herself when I was fifteen. I was about to shrug it off as attention-seeking, but then I had a thought. What if she really did it? What would happen? She was and still is one of my best friends. I told my mother who called the school counselor. She is fine now. She started taking art and started to calm down.
Don't be afraid to tell an older adult or another reliable person if you or someone you know are/is having alarming thoughts or threatening to do something. If someone is bullying you or you see someone being bullied, speak up!
I can't guarantee that you will still be friends with this person or that everything will be okay again, but if you remain strong and if you are a good and reliable friend for others, I believe that the good will always show itself.
If you hear rumors about a shooting, like my school is experiencing at the moment, or a bomb threat that will probably never happen, you still need to tell the dean or principle about it. It is not a joking matter. I heard someone say "Those silly little bomb threats from six grade" the other day. They aren't silly. Nothing about them is silly. Violence is not silly. Violence is a real and scary thing that people need to pay more attention to. It is not to be taken lightly. It is to be closely monitored and prevented and I'm sure that the parents of the victims can attest to this.
My school is facing a very alarming situation at the moment. I'm not sure if this was a nation wide or region wide thing, but there was a news report on CBS about our school because there are reports of rumors about student-inflicted violence to happen at our school. Now, everyone was taking it lightly, but then the report about Connecticut came. And then the one about China. 950 kids didn't show up to school on Friday because there was a rumor that the shooting was supposed to happen that Friday now. I am not comfortable going to school anymore because it suddenly seems real and tangible, and I think most of or student body can agree to this. I know a girl who apparently went home on Friday, didn't utter a word, went to her room, locked the door and cried. It's a very alarming situation that I hope never happens. I don't want anything like this to happen ever again, but I know that this isn't true.
Most European countries' 'death by gunshots' statistics don't reach one hundred. In this past year, I believe, 150,000 people died due to gunshot. We have a serious problem. I am not going to go around pointing fingers, but I am going to point out one thing: Freedom comes at a price. The U.S. is know as a free country. But what has this freedom gotten us? Morbid obesity, violence for no particular reason, sickness, homelessness, intellectual decline, economic instability, the list is endless.
We cannot just sit here and point fingers, we need to be proactive. To establish order and make the United States prosper again. If a freedom is abused, just like at school, it needs to be taken away.
But, at the same time, things need to be added. Yes, we have the option to see a nutritionalist or a doctor or a psychiatrist, but I believe it needs to be mandatory. So many things would be better if a person would just start to care a little more about themselves and pay more attention to those around them.
Also, people would be happier. Happiness is key to everything. The Pursuit of Happyness is a great example of this. You need to find what makes you happy, makes you tick, makes you think clearly. I have a very high anxiety level and I am ADD. Music makes me happy. When I am stressed out, I play piano or my flute or my clarinet. Yes, it can be challenging at times and requires focus, but it makes my head clearer. I am able to concentrate and focus.
My point is, find out what helps you and other people around you. Try different activities to see what calms you down. And if you can't, see a therapist. There is nothing wrong with it. So many people see therapists these days, and they aren't 'crazy'. No one is crazy. People have so much potential. Potential to do good and potential to do bad. I am really hoping that as a generation, we can turn all of this bad into good. This is our time to shine. We need to make the best of our schooling now and our understanding and observing now, so that we can turn this nation around and we can shine like a star again. We are strong, noble, even.
Let's start acting like it.
What's done is done. Let's make a difference now and make sure that this doesn't have to happen again due to lack of misconception and lack of understanding. It all starts with you and your inner person. Health leads to actions. Actions lead to reflections on character.
My heart hurts and yearns for the lives that were lost yesterday. These children were so young. They had their whole lives ahead of them. One could have been a doctor and cured cancer, but now we will never know. For the other surviving students as well. Like Obama said, their innocence was taken away too early. As well as the teachers. Teachers impact us in so many different ways. They give us knowledge and teach us the ways of the world. My deepest condolences go out to the families. If you are a member of a family of one of the victims and you need to talk, I am always here and willing to talk to you(: Or, if you aren't and you just want to talk about an issue you are having or a friend is or you just need a friend, talk to me. I love to talk and help people so don't be hesitant to PM me or send an anonymous review. I promise I will respond to you and help you.
Just remember, being proactive is the best thing you can do in situations like this. Make a difference.
Show that you care.
**Regarding the story** No chapters until after the twenty-second for any story. I'm sorry, I have too much going on and I don't think you want a half-butt chapter.