So much tragedy this week...so much loss and sadness. I can't even imagine what those parents and families are feeling after losing their loved ones. I look at my boys and I shudder to think how it would feel if something like that happened to them. I don't think I could survive it.

I do believe that there has always been evil in this world, so that hasn't fundamentally changed. But now with so many ways to spread the word and communicate instantaneously, it's hard to ignore it and the constant barrage of negativity and death terrifies us.

Some days I feel that as a human race, we've stopped respecting each other. We've lost touch with the golden rule, and even more importantly, we've lost sight of the fact that we are all human beings and are just trying to navigate through life together.

I can't even say for sure it's intentional. I think sometimes that people are just so overwhelmed with all of the struggles and the choices and the change that they succumb to the fear and choose complacency because it's "easier."

But the easy way out is slowly destroying us, and we have to choose to rise above this.

I hear people say "I am only one person, how can I change anything?" I think it comes down to each of us doing our part to hold our children and each other accountable to being fundamentally "good" people.

I believe that there are a few simple things each of us can do every day that are fully in our control and can make a big difference:

• Show more respect - for each other, for your children, for each other's children. Say please and thank you, be aware of people around you and respect their personal space and opinions.

• First seek to understand people's challenges before passing judgment and assuming the worst in them.

• Get to know your children, connect with the thoughts and feelings they have. Beneath the texts, tweets and Snapchats, there are real people in there.

• Put your phone down and have an actual conversation about something important. When the other person is speaking, try not to think two steps ahead and craft your response, but actually digest their message and then share your thoughts.

• Hold children accountable - if my boys are showing disrespect, I want you to call them out on it. Don't let it just happen. They need to know that we are watching. And don't ever feel like I will be mad at you for that, as long as you call them out with respect.

• Be humble - talk about your parenting challenges with other parents you know and ask for advice. Don't pretend that things are always easy and your life is perfect. Hiding our struggles and secretly feeling like we are failing because we don't think other parents have the same challenges is part of the problem. We ALL struggle and it's time we were more open about it.

• If my child does something to your child and I'm not there to see it, call me and tell me. Let's have a conversation about what can be done to make up for it. And know that I will do the same if the roles are reversed.

• Compliment your children, your friends, and your co-workers on a regular basis. Point out the great things they do, not just the things that they need to improve on. Building confidence inspires others to be kinder and show more respect.

I am by no means perfect or even always consistent, but I do strive to do these things as much as possible. And I will never say that my boys are perfect either; they do things that make me cringe sometimes and I wonder how the heck they ever thought doing THAT was okay!

When they screw up, it makes me sad and guilty and all of those other things that parents feel when their children misbehave. But I always try to have a conversation about it with them and help them see why their choices may have not been the best ones to make. And then I hope that at least some of it sinks in so the next time they make a different choice.

I know this will resonate differently with each one of you. Some will agree, some may even take offense. None of this is directed personally at any one of you. We are all human beings and we all make mistakes. I'm just saying that the more self-aware we are and the more we try to be "good" the better off we will all be.

So, take this all with a grain of salt, people, and if this blog post really strikes a chord with you, go ahead and share it. If not, I am sure the Big Dipper will be out tonight to distract us all from the madness.

#simplethings #parenting #livehappy #youdohavecontrol