Defining Moments

As yet another tragic incident (the Boston Marathon bombing) rocks our nation and takes the lives of our innocents we find ourselves regrouping by focusing on the actions of the heroic among us.  For us as a nation and each of us as individuals we hold down the pain by holding up examples of the brave and noble individuals who take potentially great risks in the aftermath of heinous crime or senseless insanity to help their fellow man who, moments before, suffered the greater injury.  

At times such as these, the immediate helping actions by these ‘first responders' almost seem to be reflexive responses.’  I do not think they are reflexive.  

Neither do I think that running away, as an immediate response, is cowardly; I just think that it is the more reflexive, the more natural, untrained, self-preservation tendency of man.  

But I think that those who run toward the trouble, instead of away from it, have wittingly or unwittingly conditioned themselves to be of help in times of need. An educated, trained and anticipatory mindset is cultivated step-by-step.  The Boy Scouts of America motto, ‘Be Prepared,’ is especially germane in times of tragedy. 

Being prepared means being proactive.  As part of the proper education of man, should we all not get trained to be helpers of one kind or another?  First-aid training, psychological—emotional counseling, spiritual support, having supplies on hand; could we not all become more proficient in becoming potentially useful in times of great stress or emergency?  

A lesson I tried to teach my children was to always endeavor to be part of the solution, not part of the problem.  That usually takes some thought—and training. 

Our defining moment may just be defined by our preparing hours.