Proclamation, bill focus on teen dating violence

Thank you Kentucky!

Teen Dating Violence is beginning to get the attention it deserves…

“During February, a spotlight will shine on the issue of teen dating violence on all levels, from county to state.

Mason County Judge-Executive James “Buddy” Gallenstein signed a proclamation Friday declaring February Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention month, a move echoed by Gov. Steve Beshear who signed a similar proclamation for the state.

Shari Staff, director of the Buffalo Trace Women’s Crisis Center, said the proclamations shed light “on the fact that adolescence and young adulthood are critical life stages in the prevention of violence against women and that dating violence is an issue that affects thousands of young Kentuckians.”

I applaud the fact that in the article the Mason County Sheriff focuses on prevention: “Boggs said teen dating violence has not been a major problem in the area, but there is a larger problem across the state and nation. Raising awareness and aiming for prevention may help guarantee Mason County does not see an increase in the number of incidences.”

How refreshing that a community is focusing on prevention and legal protection for victims and in particular teens. To learn more about the incredible efforts from the leadership team please reference the following article:
http://bit.ly/aETodU

In the Wake of Disaster People Band Together

A worldwide connection between human beings is the ability to respond in a moment of crisis. In disaster we are adroit. We offer our homes, donate belongings, make meals, get on planes, provide medical assistance, work on rescue teams, hold vigils, rally our neighbors, join organizations, voice our concerns and prayers via social media, donate money, time, blood, sweat, and tears.

In crisis we grasp hands and create a contiguous human chain that wraps the circumference of the globe. There are so many people looped together we envelope the planet like a colorful yarn, the warmth of which provides a now knit humanity blanket. Imagine the wool stitched together by consciousness; knit, pearl, knit, pearl…fingers of all flesh tones interlaced. The array of shapes, sizes, textures felt between us all exuding care for our fellow beings. Knit together by tragedy and the will to help our cultural differences are temporarily erased by our steadfast resolve to lend what we have to offer.

The response that rings the world reverberates in our souls. The enormity of a people united for a cause can move us to tears. Since learning that Haiti suffered a 7.2 magnitude earthquake I, along with the majority of others, have not been capable of tearing my thoughts from the suffering that is occurring for the Haitians. Television and the Internet bring the utter devastation, loss of life, destruction of community, into our living rooms…this already impoverished country has been ravaged by natural disaster…there are no rooms for the living. Survivors are homeless, ripped from the very base of their existence. Loved ones are dead and they are not even granted the dignity of mourning their loss at a proper crypt. The chaos strikes us between the eyes and shakes us awake to this hainus reality. The helpless feeling that is now surging through our veins begs us to do something. DO SOMETHING it urges.

In the wake of disaster people band together. We put aside our differences-pack them on a shelf-even if but for a day, week, or month to link hands with our fellow human beings. The wool blanket of love that is draped across the globe is not perfect …there are nooks and crannies where the heat can escape and in that flight of heat we hear the utterances of words that serve to solve nothing. The ugly words are a distraction from our purpose…they remind us there are some that choose to stand alone, choose to not gather, choose to not link, but instead choose to sputter counterproductive drivel into the void.

But that is not where my mind wants to go. I prefer to not validate ignorance that talks about old deals with the devil. I choose to focus on the good- pull that wool blanket a little closer and feel the global human connection among those that care. People who foster a belief that together we can make a difference, these people cleave to the notion that even the smallest of gestures contributes to the greater good-that is what captivates my mind.

Natural disasters are a given, we have no control over when they will occur…but we are equipped to respond over and over and over again. People who care re-build, people who come from a place of love ask ‘what do you need from me,’ people who make a difference reach out. People who are wedded to helping others see the possibilities.

Our survival depends on our vision. Join hands, help, and focus on the possibilities. DO SOMETHING…