Horrific, tragic and senseless: these are the general adjectives that have been used to describe the latest news headlines.
It's been impossible to avoid, as police, experts and members of the media spotlight the crimes from Montreal, Miami and here in the Lower Mainland.
By now you're likely familiar with the names of the perpetrators or the "catchphrases" of the crimes. The human and media instinct ensures that the reports of these acts are in constant play for our eyes and ears. Like the scene of a car crash, the reaction is to stop and catch a glimpse of these bizarre ordeals - while the victims take a backseat to the violent and frightening actions of the unstable.
Only the most desensitized aren't shocked and repelled by these tragedies.
It's not enough to say that it can't happen here - because obviously it does - or that these incidents are too bizarre to affect us.
TV shows and video games reflect too much of the violence that humans are capable of.
We've become easily accustomed to blood and gore in our own distractions from everyday life to the point where real incidents jar us not from our comfort zone but from reality.
Given the times and the headlines, harkening back to "the good ol' days" seems trite and unrealistic.
However, it's our recommendation that we all could be best served by tuning out from the graphic and surreal crime scenes - at least for healthy doses of real, human interaction with friends and family.
Turn off the TV, unplug the Xbox and tune out the radio stations - and even put down this newspaper.
Take some moments to engage those around you in the mundanity of regular life and celebrate what are your own private blessings.
The headlines of tragic news can wait.
