I think that there is a lot of strength in solidarity.

We invest in our relationships and our friendships. Often times, we hope, and expect, a type of currency in return. But we can't expect something that is not required of others. I think that we often love and consciously make a contract with our own expectations in mind.

But right now, because of our current events and our own short-comings, we have to make the decision to relentlessly still choose to support one another.

Though we live in discouraging times, there is a lot of encouragement to be had in the rebuilding processes. It's a cycle, surely, but also we can find our emotional strength in numbers. Where there is a rebuilding, there is love. And where there is love, there is a community.

The value of community during hard times reminds us that we can and will find stable ground after unspeakable tragedies. Look, right now, if you turn on the news, or are just aware of the world around you in general, it seems like we can't catch a break. It's always the little guy fighting the wars of privileged men, or the people cleaning up the messes of power.

This past weekend threw us into a whirlwind of things are happening and spiraling so quickly. We're unraveling. But we shouldn't let this stop us from becoming better. From encouraging each other. From bettering ourselves and our communities.

We are meant to condemn hate and protect each other. Living life without doing so is senseless and makes for an unproductive society.

And we are rebuilding. We are in a time of rising up. We are learning to love each other. We are learning that we are better than this.