Since hearing the news of Charlie Kirk’s assassination, I have been viewing, hearing and reading almost every perspective out there. Personally, I’m ever so touched by this because I had been drawn to this young man’s courage and enthusiasm for open debate and civil discussion around controversial issues.
I appreciated the way he listened to both sides of an issue. His ability to enter into the opposing side and sift out the essence of the perspective in whomever he spoke with was absolutely uncanny.
He was one of the few political figures I have witnessed who had this ability to invite the other point of view and take it in without being triggered whatsoever. Instead, he would meet an opposing belief with interest and compassion, all while holding his own informed perspective.
As a psychologist of over four decades and now specializing in the handling of domestic disputes, I saw Charlie embody some of the principles we teach our patients in conflict resolution. It is, indeed, both a skill and an art form. To this young man, it was a natural love for open discussion and debate he genuinely embraced.
In particular, I enjoyed watching him offer questions that led young men and women to stumble upon their own insights from the inside out. I remember thinking from time-to-time how eloquent it was witnessing these young people on campuses nationwide find their own personal truth through these permissive, open exchanges they had with Charlie Kirk.
The Left Perspective
But in the wake of his passing, I saw much more. I witnessed hate from some people on the left. Words and rhetoric of repulsive disrespect over a human being’s tragic death surfaced across the Internet. Some liberal individuals did all they could to refrain from disparaging commentary, while expressing compassion over a lost young life.
The Right Perspective
Then there were some on the right diving deep into intense anger and rallying rage…so hot it could light a room on fire. Other people became ignited to continue Charlie Kirk’s legacy a thousand-fold. He was a beacon for the conservative perspective’s truth that carried the weight of a tsunami many believe facilitated Trump’s return to the White House.
The “Shamer” Perspective
While each has their point of view, there are those who refrain from voicing their perspective and instead shower the event with judgment on how the lack of security led to this “inevitable” end. Many folks noted that Charlie should have been behind a bullet-proof plexiglass while taking questions on such controversial topics and engaging inquiry from both sides of the political continuum. Many people noted that his love for open debate under these circumstances, while his passion, was his Achilles’ heel.
The Disbeliever Perspective
The day after Charlie’s assassination, I began sifting through this other perspective, circling the Internet, which some of you may have witnessed, as well. There is the belief that the assassination was “scripted” and “staged.” If you have seen this commentary, I trust you, too, may have been perplexed by some of the atypical, peculiar, and compelling elements that, once seen, could not be unseen in this unfolding story.
Perspectives
After viewing the video clips of the actual shooting again and again on the night of the assassination, I was numb with my own trauma over this young man’s horrific execution. The pain I felt for his parents, his lovely wife and children sat with me days on end. My most sincere condolences and blessings for all of them.
In the work I have done with broken families and those eagerly on a path to reconciliation and healing, I’m aware of how one’s perspective is all that really matters in the course of their steps forward. What you think will always precede how you feel and ultimately what you do.
At the end of the day, the only thing that really matters—regardless of your perspective—is that you know how to step into your own stillness and find the place within yourself that is the fundamental essence of all that is. As this vantage point will always give you peace and a glow so bright wherein all is well, no matter what perspective you hold.
For more information and insights on inner wellbeing, see my latest writing Being the Light: A Spiritual Memoir, now available on Amazon.
Dr. Jeanne King, Ph.D., clinical psychologist and author, helps people worldwide find inner peace, wellbeing and harmony in their lives.
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