When we’re not shown fairness, compassion, humanity and love, we learn those lessons very quickly—even if we think we already know them by heart.

We learn and we grow.

We promise ourselves we’ll remember to be fair, show compassion, be humane and love even when it hurts because the emptiness that is present is painful.

We’re sure we’d die keeping these promises because of the pain.

Be fair.

Show compassion.

Be humane.

Give love.

Learn.

When we see the ugly in people, we are given an opportunity to learn to be fair. We have an opportunity to learn how to show compassion.

We see what humanity really means.

We crave love.

Most importantly, we learn about ourselves and those around us—we see life very clearly.

What’s important is to not let rage, anger, hate and anxiety fill those voids while the emptiness yearns for a better understanding of what’s gone wrong. The emptiness wants to be filled with love and laughter. The void wants to be understood and to speak.

If we listen to the emptiness very intently, we hear ourselves.

We have to listen closely.

It’s a good time to be quiet and consider what is said before we say it. Think long and hard about what’s happening and why.

Forgive ourselves and those around us.

No one says we need to forget. Forgetting would perhaps mean to not grow and learn. If we forget what happened then it might repeat.

Give back the hate, rage, panic and anxiety; it isn’t ours anyway. Give it back, let it go and fill the emptiness with love. It’s there, all around.

Simply open our eyes and our hearts.

Be vulnerable and breathe.

It’s all going to be fine—maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but someday soon.

Have faith.

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Editor: Jenna Penielle Lyons

Photo: Courtesy of the author