“Blair: Drug-addicted women were easy prey”
Blair had killed at least 6 prostitutes and had called them a “disgrace” and “scum”. The judge noted that the definition of scum: “low, vile, worthless people” more aptly applied to Blair. But aren’t people who murder and destroy property and people’s dreams really much worse than ‘worthless’? Worthless would be someone who doesn’t contribute or add value. These people are destructive of our civilization and our peaceful society. They stand for the destruction of progress by mankind and happiness for individuals.
The son of one of the victims “said he was a teenager when his mother died. She never got to see him graduate. After she died, ‘I never knew who to go to,’ he said. ‘I’m hurting.’”
“A defense attorney once referred to Blair’s family as ‘a family of murderers.’ His mother shot her boyfriend to death when Blair was a 16-year-old high school dropout. A brother, Walter Blair, was executed in 1993 for the murder-for-hire of a 21-year-old female college student. A sister pleaded guilty for her role in a murder and was sentenced to 10 years in prison.”
I would like to address how a teen like the one whose mother was killed could handle the situation if he had these understandings. Of course he would grieve and he should until the grief is turned as much as possible into bittersweet memories. But then he should go back to the basics, back to the Virtuous Possibility for the meaning his life and his Purpose in Life.
First, how does this impact his ability to fulfill that one Virtuous Possibility for the meaning of his life? In fact this tragedy is an opportunity to better fulfill that one big virtuous possibility to make his life even more meaningful. The meaning of his life can be to handle adversity well and to turn his problems into an action plan for helping others. Then he can devote himself to solving the cause of this tragedy. His story will make his case even more compelling and give him more credibility for bringing about changes to make the world a better place because he was here.
If the meaning of his life is to be an example to his loved ones and others about how to handle adversity and make a good life in spite of it then he can focus on raising his kids in a better way, in being a better person and using this history to give them meaning and purpose in their lives.
Second, what does this have to do with his Purpose in Life? Nothing. It is still his purpose to find his talents and bring forth his best potential in service to his loved ones and others. Now his talents include the experiences and understandings that he has gained having gone through this tragedy.
The lessons to be learned from this story:
1. The lifestyle and example of parents powerfully impacts their kids even if it doesn’t show up immediately.
2. Nothing that happens to you in your life changes your Purpose in Life or your central driving force to fulfill a positive Virtuous Possibility for the meaning of your life.
But now let’s think about what this teen can do, who he can go to? He can go to his Mom just as if she were with him and can hear him. He can talk with her and remember how she would have responded and then make up ‘the rest of the story’ – how she would have responded later, once she got over her problems.
Tell her about his accomplishments like graduation and plans for the future. Tell her how he was handling things positively to help others. Tell her about the legacy that he is going to leave as a result of his love for her. And know that she will feel that pride in him that will make that one big positive Virtuous Possibility for the meaning of her life come true. Go to: http://jerrywwillis.com/_mgxroot/page_10744.html and submit your information to receive a free E-Workbook to start the journey to the Life of Your Dreams. While you are there review the www.jerrywwillis.com website to learn how to order the book explaining “A PIL for Happier Kids (and Parents) - A Purpose in Life that makes sense to people like me”.
Love,
Jerry W. Willis