Nature Walk/Thoughts on a Celebrity Rapper Murdered in My City

I found out on my nature walk that a well-known rapper, from my city was murdered today in my city and not too far from my house. Breathe (saying to myself). I am really saddened and angry concerning his death because of what he does for the city and in particular his community. I am really saddened by the loss of life and violence in my hometown. There have been 5 murders in this city spanning several hours. I feel angry that people, PEOPLE do not care about life. I feel sad for friends and family of the victims. Sometimes, I feel fear when I leave my home and when I am in my home. I have to remind myself, first the natural then the spiritual. First, do my duty to ensure safety and to remember I am protected by my Creator. I ALWAYS pray for safety.

People are seemingly out of control as they use the city streets and highways as race tracks. They rob, break in, and murder over the most insane things. I dare say, where is the march for CRIME and VIOLENCE PERIOD. Yes, there can be two, three, four dynamics to “protests” and “marches” but, what I want to figure out is HOW do you get people to change their hearts? It’s a collective effort and not a “religious” or “governmental” effort only.

Breathe, Nikki.

I walked nature’s path today with so many conflicting thoughts and emotions but, as I observed nature itself, I felt a sense of “peace that surpasses (all of my) understanding” of the time I am alive in. “What a time to be alive!” my dad said last year in the middle of a pandemic. I wondered why he said that. He explained it’s a time for faith and hope. I thought about that on my walk. “What a time to be alive!” A time to offer hope, encouragement, solutions, and change.

~Nikki