Orlando

Orlando, FL: Home to Disney World, Universal Studios, SeaWorld, Busch Gardens, Legoland, and hundred of other theme parks and attractions.

Now the site of the deadliest attack on American soil since 9/11.

As of Monday morning, Orlando police cite the death toll as 49. Another 53 injured, some life-threatening. 1 shooter, who shall remain nameless so as not to give him the notoriety that violent attackers seek.

WHY? Why do we see such vile, such vitriol? Such depraved indifference toward our fellow humans? Even the lives not taken will now have permanent scars. Friends, lovers, children, brothers, sisters....all affected by this senseless tragedy.

This is NOT a gun control issue. This is a mental health issue. How can we most effectively reach out to those nearing a breaking point of violence?

Of course, it's multifactorial. Acceptance (many shooters are social outsiders, looking for a way to fit into society). Notoriety. Fame. Desperation. Hopelessness. Anger. Fear. Anger. Bitterness.

We live in egocentric times. Social media has turned us into mini-celebrities, gathering "likes" and "shares" and editing our photos to make us look and feel desirable. Who can outshine everyone else? Oddly, our egos have gotten much softer. I see so many people with such a flimsy sense of self in real life, while spending so much time creating virtual personas and sending SnapChats. "Humblebrag" posts abound. People fish for compliments every chance they get, but the gratification seems awfully short-lived.

Some people then take it to the extreme. How can I make a name for myself?, they say. Not through hard work. Too old-fashioned, they say. The economy is slow. More jobs than ever have been exported. Instant fame, they say. Instant gratification.

This idea of instant gratification has deeply affected the current generation. Nothing is lasting. Marriages are dissolving, with no thanks to websites like Ashley Madison and Tinder.

We need to work on ourselves. Our children.

We need to build lasting sense of self. Find our strengths. Improve our weaknesses. Stop comparing ourselves to other people. Be confident in our place in society. Take what we need, and share the rest.

There is enough love, enough courage, enough of everything to go around.

Let's start spreading it around.

#prayforOrlando