Time to look within to spread thanks throughout

I had another post prepared for this week... I'll save it for the spring. It didn't seem right to be sarcastic and jovial this week. Despite the season of giving and joy (see previous post) our country is experiencing senseless tragedy.

Friday morning I sat in my athletic training room with a few of my women's basketball players. We sat glued to the television watching the madness in Newport, CT. Since then facebook wars have been had, reporters have interviewed scared children and parents who are still in shock. The media has analyzed guns and the process of obtaining them. Pictures have been released and families are grieving. Many have experience how quickly the world closes in when a relative's friend was a parent, teacher or first responder at that elementary school. Even this morning, a school was put into lock-down because of possible gun shots heard.

I'm not here to debate guns, violence or tragedy. I'm here to say THANKS:

Thank you to all of the teachers who care so lovingly for children.

Thank you to all of the first responders who witness tragedy all to often.

Thank you to all of the parents who hugged their children a little tighter and reminded them they are loved.

Thank you to all of the athletic trainers who act as families to their student athletes.

Thank you to everyone you has said a prayer, thought a kind thought or took a moment to look internally to see how they could make a difference.

The following post was shared by Pat Summit on her facebook page and I find it so appropriate.

"Here's a great idea. Don't know who thought it up, but I saw someone post it and wanted to pass it along. This is what each of us should do: "In honor of those 20 innocent lives lost, we are going to do 20 Acts of Kindness this month. One in honor of each child. This world does not need more sadness...it needs more kindness, more love, more positive." -Pat Summit"

Random acts of kindness are not random, they are intentional. They require you to take a moment and think outside of your self. Take that moment. Say your prayers, let someone merge in traffic, say thank you, leave change for the next person in line, pick up trash on the sidewalk or whatever is meaningful to you.

I know this is not the normal "athletic training" post, but it is relevant. As athletic trainers we spend our days helping others and bringing peace to chaos and healing to heartache. Yes we will all laugh and smile again. Yes, we should enjoy our time with family and friends. Yes, we should celebrate the joy of the season.

But may we take time to look within...