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Feelings

November 16, 2015 By Emily 38 Comments

Peace-for-Paris

(Image source: Jean Jullien – Facebook – Instagram)

I’m feeling a lot of things at the moment.

I’m feeling shock that there are people in the world who think so little of human life.

I’m feeling grief for the victims of the terrorist attacks.

I’m feeling empathy for the friends and families of the victims, and for anyone affected by what happened.

I’m feeling joy that the reactions from most people were to offer help, to protect each other, to empathise and to decry the attacks.

I’m feeling despair that the reactions from others were to immediately judge, to condemn unrelated parties or to smugly use the news to further their own agendas.

I’m feeling outrage that some are spreading hate at a time when we really need to spread love.

And I’m feeling a great big dose of self-pity and exhaustion as I battle my third case of gastro in less than two months. Because even though my logical mind knows that there is far worse going on in the world, it’s difficult to remove myself from my own immediate experience.

We can all learn something from that.

Be kind to each other, everyone. Don’t just be kind to the people to whom it’s easy to be kind. Be kind to everyone.

Please.

We all need it.

Filed Under: Reflection Tagged With: Beirut, feelings, grief, kindness, Paris, terrorism

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Comments

  1. Rebecca Bowyer says

    November 16, 2015 at 7:30 pm

    Oh you poor thing! It is hard to separate your immediate woes. I’m on day 14 of illness and I’m so over it. Then I watch the news and want to cry from a combination of empathy and guilt at feeling down about my own relatively minor problems.

    Reply
    • Emily says

      November 17, 2015 at 8:44 pm

      It is. Interestingly, instead of overshadowing it all, it seems to have heightened all my other responses. I am SO upset and SO angry and SO everything. So of course, I’m SO exhausted.

      Reply
  2. Hugzilla says

    November 16, 2015 at 8:24 pm

    t just baffles me that human beings are capable of such great things, and such brutal ones. I can’t fathom it at all. You would think we’d have learnt so much from history… I hope you are feeling better x

    Reply
    • Emily says

      November 17, 2015 at 8:46 pm

      We never learn. And some people seem to make a concerted effort not to learn and to cling to their judgements because at least it’s something. Maybe outrage feels like action and makes us feel less helpless.

      Reply
  3. Lyndall @SeizeTheDayProject says

    November 17, 2015 at 7:00 am

    I so agree Em. We all need to be kinder to everyone. I too am completely stunned and devastated by what has happened overseas in the past week or so. On the home front, I hope you’re soon feeling better 🙂

    Reply
    • Emily says

      November 17, 2015 at 8:47 pm

      Thanks Lyndall. I am feeling better. Unfortunately, I didn’t manage to quarantine myself in time and am now caring for the rest of the family. Sending kindness back your way.

      Reply
  4. Lydia C. Lee says

    November 17, 2015 at 7:03 am

    I am pleased you pointed out the difference between just being kind to those it’s easy to be kind to. I guess that’s when we really start making a difference, when we extend outwards.

    Reply
    • Emily says

      November 17, 2015 at 8:47 pm

      Thanks Lydia. That’s the hardest part. Even if we’ve been conditioned to be scared or wary or suspicious, we need to try kindness instead.

      Reply
  5. Amy @ HandbagMafia says

    November 17, 2015 at 8:16 am

    Kindness costs us nothing. Yet so many struggle to give it. Hope you feel better xx

    Reply
    • Emily says

      November 17, 2015 at 8:48 pm

      True. And true. And thank you. I do.

      Reply
  6. Vanessa says

    November 17, 2015 at 10:51 am

    When you’re sick, it just seems to let more bad stuff in because you’re focused on taking care of yourself. xox I hope it passes soon, it sounds exhausting.

    Reply
    • Emily says

      November 17, 2015 at 8:49 pm

      That’s a good point! Hadn’t thought of it like that. Thanks – the most exhausting part is that I’m already looking after everyone else before fully recovering myself. Always the way for someone!

      Reply
  7. Zoe @ Adventures In Domesticity says

    November 17, 2015 at 11:27 am

    So well said, even from your sick bed! From illness to tragedy, there is so much suffering in the world, which is why it’s so unfathomable that so many people are hellbent on creating more. Feel better soon.

    Reply
    • Emily says

      November 17, 2015 at 8:49 pm

      Thanks Zoe. That’s where I’m at. How is bombing more areas full of innocents the ‘correct’ way to respond to the deaths of innocents? Just. Don’t. Get. It.

      Reply
  8. Josefa @always Josefa says

    November 17, 2015 at 11:34 am

    Oh Em – gastro again – not good at all 🙁 As for the kindness, so say that only kindness matters in the end. Love and kindness I say – how could we go wrong with that?

    Reply
    • Emily says

      November 17, 2015 at 8:50 pm

      That Jewel was a clever cookie. Thanks Josefa.x

      Reply
  9. Megan says

    November 17, 2015 at 1:03 pm

    All week I’ve just been thinking ‘kindness! Why can’t we all just practice KINDNESS…and tolerance’. Sigh. So sorry to hear of your gastro…it really is THE WORST.

    Reply
    • Emily says

      November 17, 2015 at 8:50 pm

      Thanks Megan. Perhaps when the anger starts to dilute. If it does.

      Reply
  10. Clare @ clarejlucy says

    November 17, 2015 at 1:05 pm

    I think the race to score political points from what’s happened in the last few days has horrified me the most. Some truly repugnant comments from certain American presidential candidates included.

    The kindness I’ve seen – that doesn’t surprise me, as I know people are capable of amazing acts of love and generosity. I just wish we didn’t have to wait for tragedies to bring it to the fore.

    And as for gastro…urgh, you poor thing. We’ve had a number of bouts through the house thanks to childcare. Hope you feel better soon x

    Reply
    • Emily says

      November 17, 2015 at 8:52 pm

      YES. And TA’s tweet. It led with a ‘see, I was right’ message BEFORE offering condolences. I saw it come through on my Twitter feed and wanted to throw up. (Which happened not long thereafter anyway, but please don’t let that lessen the impact of that statement!)

      Reply
  11. Natalie @ our parallel connection says

    November 17, 2015 at 1:30 pm

    It’s amazing how all these emotions are in direct reaction to something we are not actually physically touched by. The positive reaction around the world, with the lights of France everywhere have me back the feeling of being positive. Hugs to you

    Reply
    • Emily says

      November 17, 2015 at 8:53 pm

      Oh yes, the beautiful moments have meant a lot. I’ve been really disheartened by a lot of it, but there is plenty of hope and kindness to buoy me, too. Thanks Nat.

      Reply
  12. Deborah says

    November 17, 2015 at 1:37 pm

    I shared something on my FB page on the day of the attacks, saying I really didn’t know how to feel. I’ve just left a similar comment on another blog, but said I felt I wanted to turn off my computer and protect my heart and soul from the horrible news, but also felt like I needed to share the burden of others. And of course it’s easy to get TOO addicted to the negative news (disaster porn), plus most of us recognise that other similar events get less attention when they’re less unexpected.

    So. Many. Feelings.

    Sorry to hear you’ve been unwell on top of all of that.

    Reply
    • Emily says

      November 17, 2015 at 8:56 pm

      Thanks Deb. That’s it exactly – often I feel I need a break, and then I think that when issues like this hit the news, it’s too easy for me to step back and take a break. But those directly affected, either by the act or by the outrage and propaganda afterwards, don’t have that luxury. And then the feeling follows me around anyway.
      So. Many. Feelings. Too right.

      Reply
  13. Kelly says

    November 17, 2015 at 2:53 pm

    Very true words. I just don’t understand why humans have to be arses to other humans. It doesn’t make sense. Kindness is sooo much easier.

    Reply
    • Emily says

      November 17, 2015 at 8:57 pm

      YES! We’re all here together. Let’s do it together. YES!

      Reply
  14. EssentiallyJess says

    November 17, 2015 at 8:55 pm

    Yes. Be kind to everyone, because you just never know what’s going on in someone’s world.
    I can’t fathom the kind of hate that fuels someone to do what those people did, and I don’t want to think about it too long. I do wonder if somewhere along the line, kindness could have changed them. Pointless thoughts maybe.

    Hope you’re feeling better. xx

    Oh, and just because no on else has… #IBOODALOT 😉

    Reply
    • Emily says

      November 17, 2015 at 8:59 pm

      YES! #IBOODALOT! Haha! Love it.
      Not pointless thoughts. Because there’ll be someone out there right now who might be hated and judged and ridiculed to the point where they might consider this kind of act. And kindness could matter right now.

      Reply
  15. Sanch @ Living my Imperfect Life says

    November 17, 2015 at 9:44 pm

    The evil in the world is horrific, isn’t it? Yet, at the same time, there is so much good. And hopefully, the good will win over the evil. Hope you get better soon…gastro sucks!!

    Reply
    • Emily says

      November 26, 2015 at 11:24 am

      Thank you. Gastro is over, thank goodness. Now I’ve seriously injured my knee instead!

      Reply
  16. Bec Senyard says

    November 17, 2015 at 10:54 pm

    I’m so sorry to hear about the gastro. It’s awful isn’t it? And it’s hard having it as well as looking after kids when you’re a mum. I’m hoping you’re feeling better ASAP! As for being kind… Yes we all need to be kind. Thing is I wish the people organising and carrying out these attacks would learn this lesson!

    Reply
    • Emily says

      November 26, 2015 at 11:26 am

      Yes, kindness is a universal lesson! Here’s hoping the message reaches everyone.

      Reply
  17. Renee Wilson says

    November 18, 2015 at 6:47 am

    Beautiful post, Em xx

    Reply
    • Emily says

      November 26, 2015 at 11:39 am

      Thanks Renee. If only it wasn’t necessary.

      Reply
  18. Nicole @ The Builder's Wife says

    November 18, 2015 at 8:44 am

    I’m sorry you’re feeling unwell. It is just so easy to be kind, I don’t understand why we can’t all be kind. xx

    Reply
    • Emily says

      November 26, 2015 at 11:39 am

      Thanks Nicole. I’m not sure I’ll ever understand.

      Reply
  19. Min@WriteoftheMiddle says

    November 18, 2015 at 5:33 pm

    Oh Em – 3rd case of gastro is nasty! You poor thing. YES – we need to be kind to everyone. Let’s spread kindness everywhere to counteract all the hideous hate and sorrow that surrounds us lately. xoxo

    Reply
    • Emily says

      November 26, 2015 at 11:40 am

      Excellent plan, Min. Thank you.

      Reply

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Hi! I’m Emily

I parent. I write. I blog. I play with words and numbers in my head. Constantly. It's crowded in there.

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