In recent years, many of us have experienced challenges like we never have seen before. Watching events unfold it is easy to think: I don’t understand what is happening; it seems like our world is upside down.

I don’t pretend to have the answers. I don’t how we got here, but we have arrived. All I do know is that we must do what is within our power to calm emotions and to be a voice of reason, even if it is only within our small piece of the world.

It is time to stop spewing hate, we are in this life together. Of course we have differences of opinion, that’s what makes us unique. But, those differences do not give anyone the right to terrorize or insult another. They do not give anyone the right to desecrate the property of another.

It feels like we are yelling louder and louder to be heard, but we don’t have to be heard all the time. We don’t have to voice our opinions all the time. Maybe, now is a good time to listen to another and perhaps learn something new. It is always a good time to show respect. There are gentle, loving ways to make a point; tolerance is a virtue.

Mother Teresa said, “I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples.” What kind of ripples do you want to create?

We all can make a difference and possibly diffuse a situation. You never know how the love you express can ripple. It just may touch someone who needs it the most. And, that loving touch may prevent a future tragedy.

These are challenging problems that we face and there are no simple, easy answers. But each one must strive to make our world a kinder, gentler place in which to live. Love your neighbor as you love yourself. That commandment may not solve the problems of the world, but it is certainly a great place to start!