Once in a while an event will occur either directly or indirectly in our lives which will cause us to reflect on our humanity. Do we treat each other with a sense of honoring that each person is sacred? If not then we need to do just that. Human life is fragile, and we need to protect that life as best we can. We can do this, and it's not very difficult to do. It requires a bit of decency, a realization that everyone has their own problems, that dignity and integrity should be shown to all people we encounter; no matter what race, creed, social-economic background or sexual orientation. None of those descriptions matter in how we treat others, or how we are treated.

This article comes after a tragic incident happened the other night at 12:30 am. A young man on a bicycle was gunned down. No rhyme or reason of why he was shot as far as we know. Maybe he was in the wrong place. Maybe he was going from one relative's house to another. All of that doesn't really matter; what matters is his life, hopes and dreams are gone. This young man was not considered an adult, he couldn't vote, and he wasn't old enough to register for the "draft" (for the military) yet his life was taken for an unknown reason.

What would happen if we could take each life we meet and consider that life as sacred? What if we thought about each person we meet as a son, a daughter, father or mother? Would that make any difference? Here's another question to ponder: What does it say about a society who allows children or young adults to be shot and killed?

I believe that we fully don't appreciate the sacredness of life in our society. We have way too many deaths that occur from people who shoot for either no apparent reason, revenge, or because they think it's the thing to do to be a member of a group/gang. Our lives are truly fragile our skin does a pretty good job protecting us from disease, but it won't stop a bullet. The only thing that I can figure out that would stop a bullet is to realize that each of us is truly sacred.

To treat someone as if their life was sacred is the ability to treat them as you would want to be treated. Remember that golden rule? That rule is still accurate, and could be used many times each day. We need to learn to send out to each person we meet a sense of dignity and integrity. You know the quality or state of being worthy. Each of us will need to be considered as worthy individuals now and forever. Each of us needs to have a sense of integrity about us. This means to have a sense of moral values, and an adherence to a worthy code of honor. (I always think of a "Marine" when I hear the words dignity and integrity.)
Yes, Sacredness and treating life as sacred does imply a sense of knowing there is a higher power, a God. For most of us that would be the norm for we are made in the image of God. What we do to each other we do to God. Even if you don't believe in God, surely you can understand dignity, integrity and honesty. These are the qualities that make us different, because we can choose our path, our actions and reactions. Therefore we can choose to treat life in a sacred manner.

We need to be able to disagree in harmony and peace. When we see our fellow man walking even if we despise him/her then we will remember that they are worthy and honorable. Somehow we have forgotten to take care of our young ones. I believe that all of us, yes all of us will need to be a part of this care. Children and young adults should not need to be afraid that something will happen to them as they ride their bikes, walk to work, the neighbors' house, the park or out to play.

We are all sacred individuals, and we need to treat each other with that same ideal. Honesty, Dignity and Integrity are worthy characteristics in our lives. God bless the families who have suffered so much loss by senseless, careless, tragic deaths. May we all learn to take a hand in caring for each other.

Author's Bio: 

Carrie Fleharty by day is a mild mannered school librarian, but at night she's become a successful author. She is now a practicing Personal Life Coach. She enjoys helping people become successful in any endeavor that they feel is important to them. She enjoys and embraces change and sees it as a way to improve herself. She intends to keep improving her life, and keeps challenging herself to become a better person. She thoroughly enjoys expressing herself through the written word. And has written two books "Changes and Shifts: a Personal Journey" and "A Poet's Mind and Soul."

Her soul ignites through spiritual fire. She understands that the right spark can take a person to new meanings and new beginnings through a deeper sense of self. She is a seeker; she seeks Truth, the Devine, Spirituality, and Love. She believes that a spark will flame up to spread Truth. This Truth will be made known to all who seek.

After all "Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure." A Return to Love: Reflections on a Course in Miracles by Marianne Williamson. Sometimes all it takes is a helping hand. I will be that helping hand in either personal, spiritual, health and wellness or being a mentor.