While I am typing this on my phone I just got up from my bed to hear the news that over 80 have died while celebrating their freedom and country.
The fireworks have just ended by now and people start to walk towards their homes. Then the killing starts.

Another hashtag.
Another Tweet.
Another president with a speech with words that have been said over a thousand times already within the last year and probably are going to be said over a thousand times again within the upcoming year or years.

We say we pray.
We say we think.
We say we feel.
We share our sadness.
We share our hatred.
We share our anger.
We share our thoughts.
But the thing we don't say or share is a solution. A new mindset. A new way of thinking is needed to make a change in the world we live in.

We all listen to the ones in charge. We all want to know what they think.
What is going to happen next? What will be the next move in this deadly chess game that has been going on for at least ten years? Is there an end in sight? Or is this only the beginning?
We do not get answers and we do not ask for them. We all hear 'war', 'fight', 'condolences' and 'bombs'. And I guess that these are the only words a president could give after losing 80 citizens of his country...

As minutes go by, new information is published and the news repeats everything once again, this time with a historian talking about why this day and why there.

While everyone is asking 'who did this?', I want to know what we, the citizens of the earth, are going to do. Are we going to pray with #PrayForNice? Are we going to feel by Tweeting or Facebooking about it? Are we going to share our sadness and anger with long Instagram posts? Are we going to think by watching the news over and over with the same clips, the same people and the same information?

When are we going to realize that the Social Media I just spoke about is only a way of spreading information and getting information and not some kind of magical way to help the people who are actually in need in another country or place?

Love should spread indeed.
But if we want a change, we need to find another way, 'cause the way we are doing it right now is not stopping the bad things from happening...

I want to thank you all for being you. Being unique. And for not being afraid. 'cause If we are afraid, our minds will be blinded by it. Consumed by it. And we should not let that happen. Not now, not ever. Thank you for spreading the love you have and the amazing person that is you.

In the end, there's only one person you should follow in times like this: You.
Make your own choices. Decide what you want. Create your own goals. Believe in what you want to believe.
You know what is best for you in your life.

Voer geen oorlog, voer de eendjes.

I hope you all have a wonderful day :)

Lots of love from The Netherlands,

Keep on smilin'!

Xo'
Maria

(Edit 24-10-2022: This chapter was made in the aftereffects of the Nice truck attack)