I am going to begin this article by expressing my condolences to all those affected by the attack near the London Parliament and on West Minister Bridge on March 22^nd. I cannot imagine the pain and trauma it has caused those directly affected, their loved ones, and countless people around the world. As I have been living in the UK, this attack was even more impactful, and another reminder that these tragedies can happen anywhere and at anytime.

First off, it's okay to be afraid. When something like this happens, I think there is a part of all of us that just wants to remain in the comfort of our homes, rather than bracing the outside world. I am torn between going about my day normally, or recognizing that there is a palpable danger that should be addressed.

I have plans to go to Paris this weekend, and a part of me is definitely nervous to go to such a large European city, which has seen its fair share of violence. For a moment yesterday after news of the London attack surfaced, I even contemplated cancelling the trip, but I have decided to go, and enjoy my weekend to its fullest. Despite my fears, which certainly make my heart beat a little faster, and my stomach jump a little quicker when I am in a crowded area, or in a new place, I am not going to let what happened stop me from living my life as graciously and fearlessly as I can.

I completely respect those that prefer to remain as safe as possible after terror strikes, and I believe wholeheartedly that we each need to listen to our gut feeling, and our own comfort levels. For me, I find comfort in continuing my daily routine unaltered, and unfettered by forces I cannot control. While there will always be a sense of unwavering fear in the back of my mind, the unfortunate truth is that there is risk and danger everywhere we turn, and to some extent, there is no way to avoid what happens around us. There are present dangers in our lives everyday, and even something as simple as crossing the street can have unpredictable risks. The fact is you just never know when and where something might happen.

This shouldn't make you more nervous, but aware that these things do occur, and being a little more cautious can help ease your anxieties, and keep you safer no matter where you are around the world. Always be alert when in new or crowded places, aware of yourself and your belongings, and smart about whether a situation is safe, or worth avoiding.

All of us have fears and anxieties that can often feel out of our control, but each of us decides how we handle and react to these feelings. You can decide to be more fearful, or live more fearlessly, and both ways are perfectly right and valid, as long as you feel comfortable and safe.

Neither way of approaching life is stronger or weaker than the other, just know that you are in control of how you feel and act in any situation. Also, do not feel alone, especially when a tragedy like this happens on such a global scale, because there are a lot of people hurting with you. It is important that we reach out to each other for support and assurance during these hard times.

When tragedy strikes, it is important to remember what really matters. Tell your family you love them, try to avoid getting upset at daily annoyances, and live your life to the fullest extent you can because each day we are alive and well is a blessing that we should never take for granted.