Focus

Focus, so often life is all about our focus. What is getting and keeping your attention? This week we experienced and witnessed one of the worst things imaginable, children killed intentionally. It violates the most basic of human instincts. We, well most of us, instinctively protect and nurture children. We wonder at their innocence and marvel at the way they see the world around them.

Friday, December 14, 2012 was an unexpectedly violent, shocking day. We read the reports, saw the newscasts, heard the commentaries and ultimately we internalized pain and horror that many of us never thought possible.

The sirens had barely stopped shrieking before nationwide people were adamantly discussing gun control, gun ownership, illegal guns and semi-automatic weapons. It is a divisive topic to say the very least. Division seems to be the norm of late in this "United" States. I understand and welcome differing ideas, but outright division and the anger that seems to accompany it, does absolutely nothing but hurt our country and keep us polarized.

The devastation and ramifications from this tragedy will be ongoing. Everyone involved will be left with the indelible marks of tragedy on their hearts. But, what of the good? Why when tragedies like this happen do we focus on the bad?

The truth is mass murders have been on the decline for quite some time. The truth is that of all the things that kill people in our country every year, murder is at the bottom of the list. The truth is horrible, seemingly inexplicable horrors, occur worldwide each day. The truth is miracles, kindness and selfless acts occur daily and at a far greater rate. My desire is that we would begin to focus on the good, the kindnesses, and the miracles, small and large, that surround us. May we stop feeding hatred, discontentment and anger and rather purposefully look for the bright joys that also surround us. Love never fails!! I pray we all remember this truth.

Below I have places some interesting statistics I found on the FBI and census websites. After reading them, I wonder if you will think we should rid ourselves of some other items besides guns.....hmmmmmmm....... 

The United States population in 2010 was 308,745,538.

2010 – Causes of Deaths in United States
• 1,400,000 deaths due to abortion in 2010 (but at least they weren't shot by a madman)
• 599,413 deaths due to heart disease
• 567,628 deaths due to cancer
• 443,000 deaths due to cigarette smoking each year 

      (approx 49,000 due to exposure to secondhand smoke)
• 137,353 deaths due to chronic lower respiratory disease
• 128,842 deaths due to stroke
• 118,021 deaths due to unintentional injury (accidents)
•  79,003 deaths due to alzheimer's
•  68,705 deaths due to influenza and pneumonia
•  36,909 deaths due to suicide
•  32,885 deaths due to motor vehicle accidents
•  12,996 deaths due to murder in 2010 which is .0042% of the population 

       (8,442 of these involved guns and of those, 5,097 were handguns)
• Justifiable Homicides in 2010 totaled 665. (387 by law enforcement and 278 by private citizens)

Violent Crimes declined for the 5th consecutive year (10/29/12)
http://www.fbi.gov/news/pressrel/press-releases/fbi-releases-2011-crime-statistics