Our Shared Humanity

18 children
3 adults
Shot to death in Uvalde, Texas, while at school, a place where no child or adult should take their final breath. 
What do we do? 
We pay attention. 
First to our own response. 
Did you lean into that horrible, gut twisting fear in your stomach that you felt when you put yourself into the shoes of the mothers and fathers who raced to the school- desperate to find their children alive and hold them tighter than they ever have before. 
Or did you try to erase it as fast as possible?  
By trying to distance yourself from their situation? Trying to spot the differences between that school and yours. Their lives and yours? 
Watch and listen to those in your community, in the media, and in government. 
Pay attention to how people try to change the narrative, to who takes accountability, to who backs up words with actions, who leans into fear tactics and blaming. 
What do we do next? 
We allow the option of being wrong. Listen to what others have to say, and instead of formulating a rebuttal, find the common ground. 
We have the courage to call out those who have encouraged hate, spoken with hate, and refuse to recognize the consequences of such rhetoric. 
We have the courage to live in the “and”- 
To be able to send thoughts and prayers AND recognize that those will not prevent future tragedies. 
To be pro gun control AND pro gun ownership. 
To have ideas for change AND admit to not having the answers. 
We take accountability for our decision to vote for those who don’t prioritize mental health funding, education and training. Mental health needs to be a priority in schools. Someone who is mentally healthy and stable does not murder innocent children, and promote hate. 
 For our decision to vote for those who traffic in fear mongering, not facts, to rationalize not supporting gun control. 
Gun owners need to be held accountable for how they store their guns and who has access. If your teens have access to your gun, you need to make changes- personal accountability is where it starts. 
We have to look at where we have chosen to turn a blind eye, & stay quiet.
And most importantly, we lean into our shared humanity. 
We don’t pull away. We remember that the terror in the hearts of parents as they raced to Robb Elementary school is the same terror we could feel in the future if things do not change. 
We pay attention, embrace connection, and take action.
It starts with us as individuals and our decision to take a stand without having to take a side. To find wisdom in the common ground. To recognize that what we have been doing isn’t working- so let’s consider trying something new. Respectful discourse is always welcome on this page- I believe we need more examples on social media of what that looks like- I want to hear your thoughts whether you agree with me or not. Disrespect is not tolerated.

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About Becky

Becky Schmooke (pronounced “Smoke”) is a Mindful Leadership Consultant and Speaker, focused on providing action based mindfulness and leadership training to organizations and businesses who are ready to do things differently.

Becky’s Mindful Kitchen, is located outside of Iowa City, and provides truly unique team building and leadership retreats, strategic planning workshops, private parties and classes and weekly summer camps for kids. The commercial teaching kitchen, treehouse, archery range, bush craft skills, first aid training, wood fired pizza oven, chickens, baby goats and timber adventure playground provides endless opportunities for hands on activities.

As a mom to three girls, 60 chickens, 4 goats, 2 dogs and a fire fighter’s wife- life is never boring and provides Becky with endless stories which she uses to illustrate her approach to mindfulness in daily posts on social media.

In all that she does, Becky has one goal, to build confidence in others to take action to live their best life, not just pass time.

Follow For Daily Posts and Baby Goat Videos!

About Becky

In all that she does, Becky has one goal, to build confidence in others to take action to live their best life, not just pass time.