When Fear Grips the Nation

We watched in horror as the drama unfolded in Sydney. It all felt surreal as the television channels played footage over and over. #SydneySiege rallied on Twitter. Comments were coming thick and fast on Facebook.

Fear gripped the nation, and paralysed Sydney. The biggest city in Australia ground to a halt. Amazing how one crazy person can have such an effect over millions of people.

Eventually around midnight we got news that the gunman had been shot by police. While part of me wanted to be pleased that this justice had been done, I was filled with intense sadness. There didn’t seem anything to be pleased about.

Two other people have also died. I keep thinking about the families and loved ones that have been left behind.

I’m sad that this couldn’t have been resolved without loss of life. I’m sure police handled it as best they could and it’s also important to be grateful that all the other hostages did escape alive.
Shock that such a thing could happen in Australia, where we feel safe and at peace.

I never watch television. I even had to get my kids to show me which remote to use and which channels were where! Yet I was glued to the coverage as much as I could.

It’s almost as if we are no longer innocent. I let my daughters watch it with me as I know they would have heard about it from their friends anyhow. We used it as an opportunity for discussion . I also made sure we watched some funny movies before going to bed. It’s important to shift the emotion to something more positive.

We have the option now to continue to be consumed by horror and fear. Or we can choose to consciously change our vibration.

This is way easier said than done. As I write this I continue to watch, stunned and disbelieving. I know that it doesn’t achieve anything to watch, but it’s hard to pull myself away.

But at some point we have to move on. Get some work done and resume our to-do list.

It does give us an opportunity for compassion.

There is a great initiative #illridewithyou – Sydneysiders who are offering lifts to Muslims who fear being targeted on public transport.

Out of every disaster comes some good.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not suggesting we brush the disaster aside and glibly say “let’s just look for the good”. It’s more about respecting what has happened and realising that seeing the good does not take anything away from those that have suffered.

This morning I couldn’t find my car keys. When I walked out to discover they had been in the ignition all night long, car unlocked and easily accessible from the road, it was heart warming. A great reminder that in spite of what happened in Sydney, there is so much going right. Indeed the sun is shining brightly, the sky is blue and there is calm.

As it’s Chooseday, what do you choose to be thinking about today?

This week’s Chooseday video message is about overcoming challenges. I recorded the video before the Sydney Siege had begun. It’s very apt for right now.

Kind regards
Jill