Traumatized people, traumatize people

What I see happening in America right now breaks my heart. The violence – whether it be the inhumane treatment of George Floyd and countless others, authoritarian politicians seeking to shackle and impoverish their constituents in the name of “safety,” or the violent destruction of cars, businesses, and government property by rioters – it needs to stop. 

Anger, rage, and injustice are not an excuse for criminal behavior. Don’t let your own trauma, traumatize other people. Cultivate healthy coping mechanisms that help you express your emotions so that they don’t fester inside of you until you explode at someone or something else.

Justice for George will not be found by destroying the lives and properties of others. My heart goes out to the family, friends and the community of George Floyd and others who have been victims of such senseless violence and destruction. I don’t know what it’s like to be a person of color, but I do know that no matter who you are or what you look like you have value and you are loved. You deserve to be able to choose how you want to live your life. You deserve to live a life free from fear. You deserve the chance to fully embrace the opportunity that living in America affords. Are we a perfect nation? Hardly. Are there issues we must work through personally and as a nation? Absolutely. As much as we don’t like to admit it, suffering is a part of the human experience. It can make you better - wise and compassionate - if you will let it. Will you allow it to make you better or make you bitter? In order to fully embrace the equality of opportunity being born into the US offers its citizens, you must be willing to take intense ownership of your life.

When I went through my own personal hell, I found gratitude was one of the keys to helping me move from victim to survivor. I hope those of you who are suffering right now will consider practicing gratitude every day. Each day is a gift. Spend it wisely. Honor those you’ve lost by living life to its fullest. Identify and pursue your unique purpose. The world needs the pocket(s) of genius that you have been given. Don’t know what yours are? Take the time to start discovering them. If you need help, Smart Chic Labs would love the opportunity to help you discover your pockets of genius and unique purpose in order to help you transform your life into one you intensely own and love to live out.

#thoughts #intenseownership #justice #personalresponsibility #gratitude #selfleadership #genius