I gathered with women and men this morning from across the state of Minnesota to talk about moving a statewide plan to end violence forward. Why this is necessary, why now… and one only needs turn on the news this afternoon to be reminded why. In the aftermath of the Boston Marathon Bombs yet again we are forced to choose our response as a nation, as a community, as individuals.
So again, I make my choice.
To radiate love.
To stand in the midst of pain and darkness and declare my trust that love will overcome. To comfort those who grieve, to hold the light for those who feel lost in this darkness.
Perhaps this overcoming will not be in the timeline that I choose… I am willing to surrender my idea of a timeline, my attempt at gaining control over something so much bigger than myself. I acknowledge that fear and anger are so corrosive… and yet… time and time again I have seen love shift hearts, I have seen how true welcome create community, I have borne witness to pain transforming into forgiveness, into healing, into love.
I believe that the antidote to violence is community, caring for each other and setting compassion as our default emotion rather than fear and anger.
I believe the antidote is connection- not distance.
I believe the answer involves more vulnerability- not arming ourselves literally or figuratively.
The most brave people I have known have slayed their own dragons, have stood strong through storms of doubt, and have continued to seek love even when it was difficult.
To choose love when fear is the easy option, to keep your heart open when the easy choice would be to shut your heart down, to continue to risk even though there are no guarantees. That is true bravery.
Erica Staab 