GUNS

When tragedy befalls us like the terrible event in Connecticut, Friday, December 14, sorrow and broken hearts immediately follow. Humans are very good at holding on to broken hearts. What else can we do about our natural feelings of sorrow and pain? Can we sit and patiently wait for the healing? No. Grief comes quickly and is depressing. It feels better to be angry. Even fear feels better than grief or depression. Would you believe that? That anger and fear feel better than to carry the weight of sorrow and a broken heart?

Feelings of anger and fear can be good and can move us to intelligent action and the pride of knowing we can and have to do something about our sorrow and pain.  Action allows us to find company and join with others who, like us, feel a need to do something. We are angry. Why, how, did such a terrible thing happen? What can we do?

When humans join in communion for action against such tragedies, there is usually two groupings: those needing to express their fear and anger immediately, and those who want to be patient and understanding with their own and others sorrow and pain and to find a thoughtful way of preventing future tragedies.

Will consideration of guns or no guns give us a reasonable solution? To have or not to have guns is an ancient paradox. Do we need guns?  Do we have a right to bear arms? Will guns in our schools and homes reduce the violence in our nation?

These are questions on the minds of many this holy week of Christmas . . . makes me wonder what Maria Montessori would have to say about guns. They certainly would not have been found in her schools or shelved in her classrooms. I’m going to think about this until next week and see if I can make sense to the questions.

Please read my book, Montessori—Living the Good Life. www.montessoritheory.com