When horrible things happen, we react on an emotional level triggered by our perception of the event based on our experiences. Sometimes it’s a global event like a war or terrorist attack or economic meltdown. Sometimes it’s a local event that galvanizes our community.
The past couple of weeks have seen an outpouring of emotions triggered by a very disturbing event that took place on a dark and desolate corner in downtown Toronto. The reaction to this event was quick – and very complex: fear, anger, sorrow and confusion to name a few.
We project our own fear, anger and past injustices
When something horrible happens, it unlocks deep emotions as people try to come to terms with the event. We project our personal fear, anger and past injustices in reaction to news we don’t understand and wish we’d never heard. How could we not? How could we not immediately draw conclusions about motive when we have been brought up in a world that has posed constant threat to our physical, emotional and spiritual selves.
We gather together to feel a sense of security
Maybe if we decide what “really happened” it can help us reach some sort of inner resolution or coping skill? It’s a natural human reaction. We want to make sense, we want to frame it, we want to feel safe. We surmise, we opine, we gather together to feel a sense of community and security.
When something horrible happens, we realize that we all – on some level – still live alone in our fear.
