Finding Light in the Aftermath: Healing from a Mass Shooting

To my beloved community in Kansas City and across the country,

Today, I want to delve into a topic that’s not easy to discuss. It’s about something that shatters lives, communities, and spirits: mass shootings. These horrific events leave scars that run deep, wounds that are not just physical but emotional and spiritual as well. But in the midst of this darkness, there is hope. There is healing.

When tragedy strikes in the form of a mass shooting, it’s as if the world stops spinning for a moment. The shock, the grief, the anger – they all come crashing down like an unstoppable wave. And yet, even in the darkest of nights, there are stars that shine, guiding us towards healing.

Healing from a mass shooting event is a journey, a journey that looks different for each person affected. It’s a journey of pain and sorrow, but also of resilience and strength. It’s a journey that requires patience, compassion, and above all, love – love for ourselves and love for each other.

So how do we begin to heal?

First and foremost, we must acknowledge our pain. We must allow ourselves to feel, to grieve, to rage. We must give ourselves permission to cry, to scream, to question why. Denying our emotions only prolongs the healing process. It’s okay not to be okay today, but we cannot cling to pain forever. We have to move beyond it to heal. How?

We must seek support. We must lean on our loved ones, our friends, our community. We must reach out for professional help if needed, whether it’s therapy, counseling, or support groups. Healing doesn’t happen in isolation; it happens in connection with others.

Thirdly, we must find ways to honor the memories of those we have lost. Whether through acts of kindness, through advocacy for change, or through creative expression, we can keep their spirits alive in our hearts and in our actions.

And finally, we must believe in the power of resilience. We must believe that even in the darkest of times, there is light. We must believe that healing is possible, that wounds can mend, and that love can triumph over hate.

Healing from a mass shooting event is not easy, and it’s certainly not linear. There will be good days and bad days, moments of progress and moments of setback. But through it all, we must hold onto hope – hope for a better tomorrow, hope for a world where such senseless violence is but a distant memory.

So to all those who have been affected by a mass shooting event, I want you to know that you are not alone. You are seen, you are heard, and you are loved. And together, hand in hand, heart in heart, we will rise from the ashes, stronger and more resilient than ever before.

With love and hope,

Heather

Owner, Calm Journey, LLC

http://www.calmjourney.org