“Here's your friendly announcer, I have some serious news to pass on to everybody. What I'm about to say could mean the world's disaster. Could change your joy and laughter to tears and pain”. – Stevie Wonder.

Hours before the week anniversary of the terror that has devastated many lives, and our country as a whole, I am forced to recollect some initial sentiments regarding the Orlando Massacre. Much was a blur once the news was released, all I can truly remember is the white flashes across the bottom of the television screen, each with a new update regarding the horrendous tragedy, and the dear mother of Christopher Leinonen pleading for son’s survival. The pain in Ms. Leinonen’s cry burned its way to the very core of my heart and still rehearses in my mind. It is with deep grief that I write this article, deep grief for the families of the lives lost, and even more for our society.

It appears as though tragedy is everywhere. Wars are being fought, causing casualties daily. Poverty is still an epidemic within our world, and for some diseases we’ve yet to settle a cure. Times of such despair often leave citizens feeling helpless, as we watch our fellow brothers and sisters mourn. However, a call to action is what we must involve ourselves in. A time of great sobriety and intentional self-reflection is needed.

Among the different methods of support and aid during this time, may we all question our love for one another. Love for humanity as a whole, void of all indifferences. May we question how we truly think of those that are different from us in the likeness of race, sexual orientation, religion, age, and economic status and etc. May we search through the caverns of our hearts and be found clean of any prejudices. For the slightest amount results in hate. And for those who might find different leaks of prejudice, judgmental stains in their lives may you find the courage to neglect the former way of thinking (what is familiar to you, by way of history) and may you adopt love instead. Love in its truest form, Agape love to be exact. A love that is given freely to all, in all sincerity and not laced with the thought that one may change. A love that is based on the knowledge of humanity, and the value of life. Regardless of what may or may not be present in one’s life. The thought that a being’s worth is already determined, fixed, and oh so profound. Too profound to be snatched by the grip of hatred. Too profound to be another victim of a senseless crime.

As humanity living in such a cruel time, it is imperative that we understand the function of true love and its power. Love is distinctly designed to compel the highest form of being to arise out of us. A being that embodies kindness, joy, and peace. Love reminds of how we are to feel about ourselves first and then others. Love doesn’t demand a change in the order of affiliation. Love commands a change because it just is. A change of heart is just the result of such grace. In that state of being who can stay the same prior experiencing such an intense facet? I guess a better question to ask would be who would want to?Who would want to carry anger, malice, and judgment in a world pulsating in Agape love? Who would hurt to bring about pain, disaster, and strife to others in a world functioning in the order of such love? Who wouldn’t want to be free of all personal preferences, and reminded of the value in which all humanity has on the daily basis? Hate is a form of deception, one to keep us (humanity) from perceiving each other for who we truly are. In all of our glory, worth, and splendor. It robs us of this view, because once we tap into our ability to love each other our world as we know it must change, in response. Unity shall be our cover, and together we could literally transform all in our reach. When truly expressed love is contagious and spreads as intense as wildfire. It sweeps through the hearts of all willingness to receive, and revives what was once hardened and cold.

Stevie Wonder says it best in “Love’s in need of love”: “Love’s in need of love today. Don’t delay, send yours in right away. Hate’s goin’ round, breaking many hearts. Stop it please, before it’s gone too far”. May we do not entice “too far” to continue further, may we not allow the lives lost to be laid to rest in vain, and may we not utter prayers of peace until the next time?

The call has been set one, two, three and many more too many times over, how will you decide to answer, (if you shall answer at all), and will you be found with the courage to love whole heartily?

In response to such a call, I will not relinquish my love. But in act of the times I live in I will accelerate such. For those who mourn in this great time of tragedy, I stand with you.