Osama Bin Laden is dead. May we act in peace?

By:  Lexi Smith

I woke up yesterday to my husband coming into the bedroom saying – “Turn on the news!  They killed Osama Bin Laden last night!”  “Who did what?”  I said reaching for the remote and resentful that I was denied my second round with the snooze alarm.  The news set my day in motion with the first thought being – “Why are so many Americans cheering about the death of this man?”  Have we lost our collective, civilized minds?

Watching the cheering crowds outside of the White House, waving the American flag, and singing the National Anthem – I felt sad.  I felt like we became – in that moment – a nation of people who respond to hatred with more hatred.  It reminded me of a scene on the news right after 9/11 when the TV crews showed people in the middle east cheering over the terrorist acts and the death of thousands of our people.

Yes – Osama Bin Laden needed to be stopped.  I am grateful to the many in charge of protecting our country and trying to keep peace in the world.  We need to support them by not adding fuel to the fire and creating more hate.  What good does it do us?  And, after the cheering is done – the reality is there is still more to do.  He was one man devoting his life to creating more like him.  There will be retaliation.  Are we prepared to deal with what comes next?  A quote attributed to Martin Luther King, Jr. is running viral all over Facebook and Twitter.  Here is the correct quote – and words to live by as we cope with the aftermath of this most recent event:

“Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.”

How do we not contribute to the fear and hate in the world?  After the news of heighten security and more difficult travel, I decided to cancel my summer plans to go to Europe (the good news is that I now have money to buy a big screen TV – so I can watch more news!) – and I am planning to drive to DC on a business trip next week.  I can’t help but be afraid; do I want to live my life in fear?  The short answer is, No.  If I choose to live in fear – I’m choosing hate as the core of who I am.

We may not be able to fight terrorists, but we can calm the anxiety of those around us just by being kind.  This, in turn, will relieve our fears and make us – well, better people.  It’s simple to say – and most difficult to live.  I challenge us to do one or more of the following – for one week – and see what a difference it makes in our lives:

• Don’t take someone’s slight personally.  Consider that they might be going through a difficult time.
• Smile at someone who just cut you off and pretend that you gave them the right of way.
• Focus your attention on your breathing, and take a few breaths before responding to a difficult person.
• Tell someone you care about just how important she or he is to you.
• Turn off the news!  Read something positive.

Lexi Smith is a lifestyle guru for the woman seeking positive change.  She is owner and creative director of Being Fabulous!, a consultation and personal shopping service designed to help clients achieve a higher quality of life by finding their own signature style.