An Acupuncturist’s Take on Trauma and Tragedy

Yesterday, three people were killed and five injured in a shooting at the Howard County Mall, about 4 miles from our house. My thoughts and prayers go out to all the victims and the victims’ families, as well as the alleged gunman and his family. I offer my Love and my support to you, both during this time of tragedy, and after when you may need Love and support even more. Please continue to love, to feel love, and to be love.

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How many times must a man look up

Before he can see the sky?

How many ears must one man have

Before he can hear people cry?

How many deaths will it take till he knows

That too many people have died?

– Bob Dylan

I believe in my heart that we are all born good; that the destiny of all humans is to do good, to be good, to help, to give, to cherish, to appreciate, and to Love. I also believe that we always carry with us in our hearts this knowledge that we are all good and of value.

I believe that it is not in our nature to hate and/or to do bad things to ourselves or others. I believe that we have to be taught hate; that we learn how to bury our innate good to then do the bad things.

I believe that the answers to those classic questions by Brother Bob Dylan are not, in fact, blowin’ in the wind. That to me would mean that the answers are formless, intangible, and thus unattainable. How many of us live our lives believing that we can’t change, that this life is as good as it gets? So often I meet people who feel that are “bad husbands”, that they can’t stop drinking, that they can’t ask for help because it would be a sign of weakness, that they will always be sad or angry or simply miserable. They accept all of this as truth because they believe that the answers to their toughest questions are out of their reach.

I, too, struggle with this. Especially after tragedies such as this shooting, my mind wishes to become angry with the present and despair for the future. Yet, I know that to give in to the anger and despair takes me away from my own goodness. It takes me away from my belief that we are all of value and takes me to a place of darkness, hopelessness and despair.

However, when I am calm, I know in my heart that the answers to all life’s questions are completely within our reach, for they reside within us all.

I choose to believe in Love. Sometimes that choice is made with great effort, and at times I stumble, and still I choose Love. I choose to believe that anyone at any time can choose Love. I choose to believe that all of us can live in joy and in peace. I choose all of this because I know that when I do choose Love, I feel happy. I feel healthy. I feel free.

Choose Love. Choose Light. Choose Joy.