This Physically Hurts

Waking up this morning with a confused anger directed at a madman who was cowardly and evil enough to randomly kill innocent children and educators, I had to go to the gym.  The workout that followed was intense and filled with anger.  I didn't know what else to do.  It physically hurts to think of the holy innocent lives lost.  It physically hurts when I think of the pain the parents and family members of the victims feel.  I am fortunate enough to play with my kids today, get on their nerves at times, while a number of parents were robbed of that simple luxury in Connecticut.  It's so wrong.  It's so heinous.  It's so senseless.  It is so enraging.

I have had enough and I hope you have too.  We cannot continue on dealing with this nonsense in our society.  Armed to the hilt, shooting everyone in sight as if it were a video game...should outrage everyone.  Our nation has reached its tipping point and families, friends, caregivers need to speak up on this topic of violence, guns, and mental illness and responsibility.

Most fervent wishes and prayers to all the victims and their families.

Taking It Personal

Former Cardinals manager Tony Larussa won more games than any other manager in MLB history.  He also lost more games than any other manager.  I recall a local sportscaster informing me that Tony once told him that he "agonizes over every loss" and he took them all "personally."  Tony, in fact, stated that he preferred his players to "take it personally for a while."  The "for the while" point is well noted.  Tony knew that only when we take something personal do we really act to change it.  Yet, there is a delicate balance when we take things personally.  If we do so too much, we become a "drama"
king or queen and we overreact.

In the long run, we know nothing ever happens worthwhile without taking it personally.  When we see suffering and injustice, we should take it personally and then act upon it!

Let's just be smart in what we decide to take personal.