I was really excited to tell you about something that’s about to happen in our little corner of the universe.

But Boston hangs over me like a horrible dark cloud and I can’t shake it. I can’t publish a video right now.

So many good people used this event in the past to raise millions of dollars for charitable causes. Now comes a report that the perpetrators placed one their bombs right next to the area reserved for the Newtown survivors.

It’s too much.

Yet in the midst of this evil, look at what happened. People rallied instinctively. Witnesses ran toward the explosions to help the wounded.

The Red Cross reports that blood supplies are now sufficient to take care of the injured.

Nearby residents are sheltering runners left stranded by the crime scene. Calls to patronize businesses blocked off by “yellow tape” have gone nationwide.

This is how we respond to evil. We want to help. No one needs to tell us that.

So often we hear it’s our weaknesses and faults that make us real and approachable. But in times like this we find that it’s responding to our better natures that really makes us human.

Still, this is a heartbreaking fork in the road of history and it will be a long time before The Boston Marathon becomes the joyous expression of human potential and generosity for which it has always been known.

I wish I hadn’t felt compelled to write this. But I wonder if we have enough outlets to discuss this, other than with family and close friends. If you have some thoughts you’d like to share, please feel free to post them here.

Here’s what Patton Oswalt wrote:

Screenshot 4:16:13 9:53 AM

 

    32 replies to "Boston"

    • Grahame

      Hi Steven

      I am from the UK and it has been all over the News here.

      I agree completely with your post – mans inhumanity towards man brings out the very worst and the very best of people. Why someone thinks it is right or just to do something horrific like this I just have no idea.

      I can only hope that the city and it’s people will all recover from this and that the US is not deterred from what is right and good.

      Just get the ba884rds that did it.

      Grahame

    • admin

      I hear you, Grahame. I’m sure they’ll find those responsible, as they usually do.
      I just pray they get it right after that…

    • Nora

      It’s taking some time and energy for me to process this insanity. Can’t stop thinking of the 8 years boy who went to see his dad running, and got killed. Who on earth can accept his destruction as part of any political strategy worth its name?
      Regardless my sadness, there is work to be done with clients, there is writing…and the task of weaving painful feelings into the experiences of this day. What I miss the most is the erosion of the trust we had in open city environments as hospitable and nurturing…not dangerous.
      Back to my coaching, thanks for opening up this space!

      Coach Nora
      passiveaggressiveworkplace.com

    • admin

      Thank you, Nora. I share all those sentiments. Just kind of speechless otherwise. So thank you for sharing.

    • Anita Wheeler

      Steven,

      Thanks for your comments and your good work. I, too, have not felt like doing much today and I just have this very disheartened feeling of sadness as to what our world has become. It feels like a revolution is going to have to take place to get people to wake up and make the necessary changes to create a different world. Trust in most everything has eroded and we need to build a new frame for change. We are all in shock and disbelief, but we were also in shock and disbelief a couple of months ago with the tragedy at Newtown and it has all but become history. When are we going to start make lasting changes and start believing in, visualizing and creating a different world.
      Again, thanks for the blog…appreciate YOU!

      Anita Wheeler
      anitagwheeler.com

      • admin

        I tried not to respond publicly when Newtown happened. But it somehow feels like the Northeast is under attack constantly now.

        I do think you’re right. It’s going to take a revolution in consciousness to bring things back to where we can feel safe in public spaces again.

        They need to find the ones that did this, but I hope this doesn’t result in more restrictions on our freedom of movement.

    • dianne thomsen

      Just last year at this time I ran the Boston marathon during one of the hottest marathons on record. I was feeling rather sad that I couldn’t be there this year. Not so much any more.
      Boston is such an iconic event. It will be years before anyone will take part in the event without some reservations and maybe even a little fear!
      As Americans the best thing we can all do is continue on with doing good and put the fear behind us. Otherwise the terrorists win.
      My prayers to the survivors and swift justice to the perpetrators!

    • Natasha Zeligs

      There is is much love pouring forth to Boston and those injured and suffering losses.

      We as a nation, as a people must come together in solidarity and community, connecting to each other in a more transparent and supportive way than ever.

      While this tragedy has occurred we can move forward in caring for each other more and more.

      • admin

        I agree totally, and it’s great to read your words to that effect.

    • Dave Pipitone

      I feel angry, powerless, and very sad that an event like this happened at all, not withstanding without warning at the Boston Marathon. The mal-intent and misguided deeds of one person ( or a small number of people) exploded into this tragedy for the direct victims and so many others, around the world.

      After all of the personal development gurus that I’ve read, who say that “thoughts are things,” using video and media to influence “treasuring thoughts” is one of the most valuable types of influence we can offer. It’s probably video/TV games/media that influenced the “trash thinking” in the ones who perpetrated this horrific act. Good on you, Steve, for encouraging people to use video and media for good.

      • admin

        Thank you, Dave. You so well know the power of treasuring thoughts. I’ll be back at it next week…

    • Sheryl Kurland

      My nephew and his fiancé reside in Boston. They love it there and said Charm City cannot and will not be deterred by this horrific act.

      I realized last night that about the same time this event happened yesterday, I was at a shopping center and threw away bag of trash from my car into a public receptacle. Geez, I would never dream………

      Prayers and thoughts to all..

      • admin

        Bostonians are tough as well as cool. I just heard from someone who was sitting in the first row of the VIP area at the finish line. She says she was lucky to get out alive, but saw lots of heroes on the job.

    • Lucas Selbach

      Hi Steve,
      I regret for this and all the other kinds of violence.
      I hope human kind awakes to realize what it´s being lost in this kind of event.

      Prayers and thoughts of kindness for all of us.

      Lucas Selbach
      Brazil

      • admin

        Such a good point. So often it’s only when we begin to see what we’re losing that we can make change. I just hope this is enough…

        • Lucas Selbach

          Yes, Steve,
          I think most of us hope it´s enough of violence.
          I just turned of my TV at home 3 years ago, and it was a blessing. No more violence getting into my home.
          You should give a try.
          Regards
          Lucas

    • Holly Doherty

      Thank you for highlighting the positive ways people have responded. At times like this, especially when it feels like it’s one thing after another, it’s easy to lose hope and just throw in the towel on the human race. While we can’t control the deplorable actions of others, we can control our response to them. The people of Boston have shown great courage and resilience, and shown the best of humanity when others have shown the worst. As long as we continue to respond in such positive ways, as long as we continue to find the good in the bad, there is hope for us. My thoughts and prayers go out for the people affected by this tragedy, and for the broken and hurting world that we’re a part of.

    • admin

      You reminded me of something, Holly. I hate driving in Boston. The streets are too narrow, the signs too confusing and the drivers too rude.

      But right now I have nothing but love in my heart for the good people of Boston. It’s a small thing, but multiply it by millions and maybe it’s not so small anymore…

    • Christine

      I am speaking from England. As a child I remember going to school under the constant threat of the IRA bombs. Later, I was in Manchester when an IRA bomb tore through the city. Just as to those in New York on 9/11 my heart goes out to those in Boston. There is no other way to deal with this than to resolve to love more, to live better and to forgive those, for they know not what they do. Otherwise evil conquers. From what you have noted already – evil will not conquer. Boston people are coming together. Prayers for those hurt and to the families who love them. Care for your injured citizens. It is the London marathon on Sunday – we will be there in force. ‘They’ will not disrupt our lives because we will not let them win.
      With love x

    • Sylvina Rollins

      Hi Steve,
      I was poised to send a notice about a new feature on my website. Instead I scrambled and contacted Boston family to gladly find they are safe.
      My thoughts, prayers and wish for healing blessings go out to everyone, along with waves of love.
      ~ Waves of Love~
      Sylvina

      • admin

        Yes. We’re still checking. So far everyone is accounted for.

    • Robert Searls

      I live on the west coast of the USA but the shock wave on the human psyche can be felt here as well. I had to stop my own racing around to really feel this, which is a good life lesson in priorities for me. I send my blessings to all the souls involved and am grateful for the personal wake-up call this has had for me, so I remember the importance of delivering my gift to the world.

      Blessings to our world.
      Robert Searls

    • Elisabeth

      Any useless violence, anywhere, is abhored by the masses. I agree – the good outweighs the bad in this world, because most people strive to be good. It is unfortunate that a misguided soul can do so much damage. Unfortunately, this happens in our world, and the innocent get hurt. It is hard for the mind to digest such horrific acts of violence, and needless death. We must carry on, it is our nature to move foreward.

    • R. Lee Davis

      I live in Canada, and hearing about Boston brought a tear to my eye…what possible reason? I remember the feeling that 9/11 aroused in me, and I feel the same way now. We ask ourselves questions about the innocents at the scene. We ask about the possible reason(s), and the possible connection(s) to other issues. Is it possible that the “nature vs. nurture” argument comes into play, and that the person/people involved are simply “bad”? Or, have they been taught to be “bad”? Either way, my family and I are filled with sorrow at the events, and hope that justice is dealt out swiftly.

      RLD

    • Walter Psotka

      Hi Steve,
      The Boston incident is certainly horrible…and the immediate response to the tragedy was heartwarming. I’m somewhat of a conspiracy theorist and am wondering what spin that the media is going to make of this. Was this a false flag incident? Are we being primed for a response? What is really going on…and who will be the first to spin this into something really catastrophic !

      • admin

        It’s natural to wonder in these days of draconian laws and a tightening economy. As Lord Acton said: “War is the health of the state.” So I truly hope that those in power had nothing to do with this. I’m sure that in about a week there will be a number of YouTube videos showing the glaring inconsistencies in the “official” version of the story vs. the “actual” version. But none of that will bring back an 8 year old boy who was there to watch his father run.

        One note on the “official” version. That may not even be possible anymore. Google had hundreds of photos that were posted within hours of this event which came from hundreds of people.

        So we have information enough. What we lack is knowledge. And evidently, what we lack even more is wisdom.

    • Allan

      It was a devastating event.

      I heard of a young child running for the Sandy Hook Elementary School victims perished in the attack. Stories like this are heartbreaking and makes you question the intention and the humanity of the people who would do such a thing.

      Attacking an iconic race that’s a symbol of personal achievement and at the same time selflessness. As indeed shown by people who were willing to help victims in their time of need.

      I pray for Boston.

      Sending love from the Philippines,
      Allan

    • Sarah Denholm

      My heart goes out to everyone involved in this tragedy, what a senseless waste. And at the same time, the support and response to help is such an amazing reminder of the wonder of the human spirit. The worst and the best. Sarah

    • Ana Silvia

      Steven,

      Thanks for your message. I smile at synchronicity and your newsletter was received in perfect timing. I generally stay away from media and news because the way in which tragic events are used to facilitate fear physically hurts me, so I did not hear about the Boston incident until I read your email. Interestingly, three days ago, I realized I reached a place where no longer did war and death scare me as it once did.

      I learned to suspend belief, close my physical eyes to the terror of murder and hate and, through my third eye, project myself into the place of the assassinated, the murdered, and the oppressed to experience the freedom, peace, and love their moment of death afforded them.

      I realized fear does not live in those that die; it lives in those that remain. We have the toughest job of all: TO STAY in the FACE of UNCERTAINTY and LOVE UNCONDITIONALLY. I learned to consciously strive to live free of fear without physical death. This is interesting because it makes me 1,000 times more thankful to see confirmation of compassion in the world outside of my own heart; I really needed it.

      Thanks again,

      Ana

      • Steve

        Your thoughts remind me that the very purpose of terrorism is to frighten people. If we refuse to be frightened, the terrorists lose. Your way seems a much better way to get on with life.

    • tesa macapil

      Hi there Steve, I feel for you too. for almost 46 years I have been living in a place where terrorist strikes at Random place. They bomb, stores, cars, ships and restaurants and even busy market place. I got friends who are hit by shrapnel’s and others die because of these killings. Surely people who were doing this are ruthless and mean. I do hope all those bombs explode in their hands.

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