VIOLENCE OVERLOAD

CATHERINE S. ANICETE

What is happening around us? When we go out even in public places, we don’t feel so secured because of the fear that is lurking inside of us. We hear news of violence committed by individuals who just want to hurt other people for whatever purpose or impulse why they do such thing is very horrific. Gone are the times when one can freely and safely walk at night even without any company. Gone are the days when we can completely enjoy the company of family and friends in public places without thinking that someone might madly harm them.

Parents are doubly worried for their children’s safety knowing that bad people are everywhere. How about the victims of violence? Also those that suffer in the hands of wicked individuals and considering their family and friends that were left behind. It’s very traumatic. This is the last thing that we want to think of. We are supposed to enjoy what we have around us but if there is fear of terror and if we always feel that anytime somebody would attack us or our family members violently, then what is the sense of our existence?

We cannot dwell with fear. So what can we do to lessen or better yet to eliminate violence? According to Benjamin Franklin who was an American polymath and one of the Founding Fathers of the United States: “Educate your children to self-control, to the habit of holding passion and prejudice and evil tendencies subject to an upright and reasoning will, and you have done much to abolish misery from their future and crimes from society.” This is a realization that self-control is a very important factor to uphold virtues needed to make our world a better place to live in.

When we feed the world with positivity then that is what we will reap. Eradicate any form of wickedness as early as now so that our children, the future generation, will know only what is good and they will spread that positivity throughout the world.

--oOo—

The author is Teacher III at Pampanga High School