You're Going to Be OK

Even though you don't believe it, you will, I'm sure of it. Sincerely, I say this because you never know who might need some encouraging words—let's face it, we all could use it. I'm here to remind you that even if things may feel hazy, confusing, doubtful, or even painful right now, they are just temporary, and they don't define who you are. The truth is that everything we experience in life is just temporary, even though it may feel like forever when it's happening. You start to lose faith, start to question your sanity, and you could even start to feel guilty. It's so easy to focus on what isn't or what is challenging, but we must remember that even bad days evolve into good days eventually.

I frequently encourage mental health wellness because I think we can eliminate the stigma attached to mental illness if we were more knowledgeable and open about it. You don't need to have a mental illness diagnosis for this topic to apply to you; we can all relate. What do you think would happen to your mental health if you kept on thinking about the setbacks and suffering you encountered at a difficult time? If everything remained stagnant, the world would not develop and grow; the good cannot exist without the bad. Duality is essential since life is a constantly changing experience. If people, challenges, happiness, and everything else we know in life weren't transitory, we couldn't get better over time.

How good are you at spotting those beautiful moments when things start to get better? We may start to worry about things that haven't even happened yet. We tend to think back on the past, which could bring up painful memories. So, is there a middle ground? How can we recognize the good when it appears in front of us, how do we take use of our wonderful moments? According to the Nurtured Heart Institute, people should use emotionally nourishing words and therefore should reflect on the following questions: “What is so great about what I am seeing?” or “What do I appreciate about this moment in front of me?”

The goal is for you to understand the significance of what you experience. Have a good Wednesday!

Take Control

Since there is no safety anywhere, it is time to take matters into our own hands. Who is to blame for the outcomes? Is it the government or the public? Or maybe both; We're supposed to cooperate, hold each other accountable, and encourage each other, but this hasn't happened in years. Citizens, operators, children, and even animals appear to be without protection. Violence has grown prevalent, and voices of the people are being ignored. I tend to question the government's intentions because they have the means and opportunity to prevent many issues, but instead do the complete opposite. It appears that basic human rights are being slowly but steadily taken away from us.

They blame violence on mental illness, claiming that there are so many sick people on the streets, which I agree with, but let's not put the entire burden on mental illness. The truth is that many people who suffer from mental illnesses are not violent. People believe that we should avoid them at all costs and that there is no way to help someone who has one, but this is not the case. How are you assisting those who are in need? Is high-quality service available to everyone? If so, is it affordable? Are there enough providers to help these people? Stop blaming mental illness for bad behavior; they knew exactly what they were doing because that was their intention. In such a circumstance, they are entitled to the consequences of their conscious decisions.

Let's talk about gun violence and how people tend to blame the guns, rather than the person who pulls the trigger. People no longer use their words or even their fists; instead, they reach for a gun. It's as easy as heading into your local Footlocker and buying a pair of sneakers to get your hands on a gun. They frequently end up in the wrong hands, whether they obtain them legitimately or illegally. Innocent people are being injured because of errant gunfire. A traumatized person suffering from life circumstances and cowardice believes that letting a few rounds fly will give them a sense of strength. They often claim that having access to a firearm is the common denominator in every firearm-related death or injury, which appears plausible, but there are several complex elements that aren't being addressed. Even though gun-related crime is on the rise, we must approach these circumstances with an open mind. Yes, gun control is necessary, yes, the age to acquire a handgun should be raised, yes, you should have a permit to carry a firearm, but a huge part of this is the reality that a lot of these violent crimes start with people who have a long criminal record and are repeat offenders.

We've received numerous reports of guns being purchased illegally from other states, and in some cases, the suspect was under surveillance prior to the bust, giving them extra time to carry and sell illegal firearms. Why have you been waiting so long? Why should we allow it? And why are you letting them free before they finish their sentences if they are caught? So many questions, so few answers, but I feel we've gotten them and must now act. To eliminate or reduce gun violence, the criminal justice system must be improved. If you know how illegal guns are getting into the city and have a strategy and the means to stop them, why penalize and prohibit law-abiding citizens from strolling into their nearest gun store to lawfully obtain handguns to protect themselves? Will Stop and Frisk be reinstated? Will you change the bail reform law so that these criminals serve the time they deserve in prison?

All forms of violence are perpetrated against citizens who are unable to protect themselves due to laws that prevent them from doing so. Due to a lack of emotional intelligence and an inability to handle a simple "no," some men do harm to women. Our bus and train operators are being assaulted as they try to transport us to and from our destinations safely; some of our citizens are being pushed into the train tracks at random; our delivery men and women are being shot or threatened if there is something wrong with their order. At any given time, innocent hardworking people are robbed or assaulted with knives, often in broad daylight; schools, supermarkets, movie theaters, malls, churches, spas, trains, bodegas, graduations, and funerals, among other places, are targeted. What became of humanity? Where is the compassion and love? Where is the assistance?

Finally, when criminals are apprehended, many citizens jump for joy, but they are celebrating a false victory. The issue is that many of the criminals get released even though it is usually not their first offense. You could then question why they were allowed to roam the streets freely instead of serving their sentences. Please make that make sense. I say start standing firm in what you believe and be the change you want to see. Many things would change if more people recognized we are the ones with the power. But, for it to happen, there must be unity.

Children's Rights: Everything You Need to Know

The Declaration of the Rights of the Child, which defines children's rights to protection, education, health care, shelter, and proper nourishment, was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1959. The Convention on the Rights of the Child describes a child as a person, a member of the family and community, with age and developmentally appropriate rights and obligations. The Convention firmly emphasizes the focus on the overall child by recognizing children's rights in this way.

Children's rights are a subset of human rights that deal specifically with the protection and care that children are entitled to. Children's rights are vital since they apply to their survival, development, and protection against abuse, neglect, and exploitation, as well as their right to participate in familial, cultural, and social life. People often forget that children are individuals, with the same basic human rights as adults, as well as additional rights that recognize their special needs. Parents, children are not your property or helpless objects, they are human beings who have their own set of rights!

We recognize the need, but what is the government doing to ensure that children's rights are respected in the United States? Consider all the children who have been separated from their families and have been trafficked or died because of this president's negligence to the border crisis. I'm simply highlighting border policies that facilitate human trafficking, which includes both adults and children. While some countries' constitutions have sections dedicated to children's rights, the United States continues to struggle to prove that it cares for and protects its children. The United States has a long way to go in terms of strengthening and safeguarding children's access to their rights. According to the UAB human rights center, the United States has been complicit in the violation of many children's rights. Children have suffered and continue to live in poverty, with parents who lack job security, some who do not attend school, and others who do not receive adequate judicial retribution.

It's April 2022, and all I've heard and seen are news of children being murdered or seriously hurt. Children of all ages are being murdered by other children, and court systems are failing to protect children by keeping them with unstable caregivers and in abusive homes. Yes, I understand that if a child-protective agency has reasonable cause, they can file a petition with the Family Court to have assistance in the child's protection. The problem with judicial system is that they may not allow children to express their choices, instead making decisions for them or pressuring them into making a specific option. In some circumstances, the judge is on the side of the parent, and the child is returned to the parent. I realize that the goal is to reunite the child with his or her family, but what happens if there is sufficient evidence that the child cannot thrive in this environment? How can you be sure you're making the best choice for the child? Who says you must make that choice? Why not inquire as to what the child desires? Let's face it, they're the ones who must deal with the consequences of your decision. As a social worker who has worked in the foster care system, I've seen countless examples where this has occurred, and cases like these make my mind spin.

Let's face it, some of these agencies have poor service quality; you have some staff who care and want to help, and others who are burned out and don't. The process is shaky, and children are sometimes put with foster parents who are not always looking out for their best interests. Adult figures in these children’s’ lives, such as teachers, mentors, tutors, and care providers, see them daily and can detect when a child is being mistreated but refuse to report it.

So, what can we do to help protect children's rights in the United States? What are some approaches to improving children's access to their rights? Sponsoring a child, adopting a child, becoming a foster parent, donating, and praying are all obvious possibilities, but it’s not enough. Donating and sponsoring children has been polluted by greed and dishonesty, making it difficult for people to give because they have no idea where the money is going. To be honest, it's tough to say; we need more petitions, groups, and compassionate and sincere people to speak up.

Finally, I'd want to leave you with a quote from the world vison, “we believe every child deserves a childhood, surrounded by protective families and communities, free from violence, and with the opportunity to thrive and the experience the abundant life god promised.”