Be Part of the Ripple Effect
The world can be a dark place. The news is full of stories about corruption, political unrest, weapons of mass destruction, and random acts of violence. When you watch the news you can’t help but wish you could do something, big or small, to spread a little light and make the world a better place. Recently, when Antoinette Tuff woke up, brushed her teeth and went off to work, she couldn’t have known that would be the day she would avert another horrific tragedy and become a national hero!
If you didn’t hear the story, on Tuesday, August 20th a frighteningly close call at an Atlanta-area elementary school ended with zero bloodshed, thanks to the bravery of school bookkeeper, Antoinette Tuff. There were no injuries to the 870 children inside the building, school staff, police or even the 20-year-old gunman himself. Details are still sketchy about what made Michael Brandon Hill show up at Ronald E. McNair Discovery Learning Academy dressed in black and armed with an AK-47, but thanks to the heroic actions of Antoinette Tuff, the nation isn’t mourning another Newtown.
Hill, who had stopped taking his psychiatric medicine and claimed he had nothing to live for, was stopped from doing the unthinkable by the amazing calm and compassion of one of his hostages, Antoinette Tuff, who shared her own hardships with her captor. She spoke to him with kindness and respect- assuring the gunman that “we’re not going to hurt you” and encouraging him to “anchor himself to the Lord.” Miraculously, Tuff was able to get the gunman to surrender, and even communicated his apology to police over the school loudspeaker.
We can learn a lot from Antoinette Tuff. Here are some things to consider:
If we live in the light, we can shed it on others and push back the darkness. As Gandhi said, we must be the change we want to see. Despite Antoinette Tuff’s own personal challenges, she was grounded in her faith, and when she had the opportunity, was able to shine her own light on someone who had the potential to do something evil. As you reach higher states of awareness, you have the capacity for more compassion, more love, and more willingness to help those who are still living in darkness. Tuff used nothing more than her faith, courage and inner light to avert a disaster and save lives.
It’s important that we keep ourselves healthy – both mentally and physically. An unhealthy body, brought about by abusing alcohol and drugs, not getting enough sleep, or poor nutrition can make us open to negative energy, and keep us from living a balanced, light filled life. Keeping a healthy mind is also critical. You are what you eat, but you’re also what you watch. Be careful of exposing yourself to evil and violence, either through movies, books or online. Spend time working on emotional issues and if you are suffering from a mental illness, be sure that you take the necessary steps to manage it, just like any other illness.
You never know when your chance will come, so be ready. There is plenty of evil and darkness in the world—and we all have some inside of us. But if we learn to conquer our own demons, and recognize darkness in others, we can be there for others when we’re needed with a word of encouragement or compassion. By seeking our own enlightenment, we can enlighten others.
Antoinette Tuff could never have predicted that she would be placed in a position to make such a dramatic difference in the lives of so many. It’s incredible to think of the ripple effect that was generated by her light, and the difference she made to the children, their families, the police, the gunman himself, and everyone their lives touched. She also inspired people around the world be her actions. On that day, she truly was the change that we all want to see in the world.
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