So last night, at midnight I packed my husband and four kids into the car and like so many others we went to a midnight showing of The Dark Night Rises at our local movie theater. It was a great movie, but even more fun was spending the evening with my family and listening to my teenage son’s excited ramblings over what a great movie it was and hearing the other kids highlight their favorite things in it and more importantly, hearing them decide that they wanted to go see it again, together, the next day.

The joy of that experience was cut short when we came home and heard about the terrible shooting in Colorado, at a movie theater, where other families were watching The Dark Night Rises, enjoying a night out, just like we had done. Even though we were perfectly safe and sound, halfway across the country, it’s still a horrible shock because I can’t help but wonder, how many of the victims were like us? A family piled into a car going to see it together? Or people out on a date? Or friends who had planned this night for months, bought their tickets in advance and taken a nap earlier in the day so they would be ready to stay up late? How many were taking a sick day or vacation the next day? How many were going to call in sick or how many were going to go to work, without sleep because they wanted to see the movie that badly?

So rather than post my opinion on guns, the death penalty or society in general, I’m calling for action. I’m going to DO something to honor those who have died and I hope others join me. Do something good, do something silly, do something fun and carefree. Celebrate life, celebrate your family, celebrate who you are.  Help another person, give your time, your money, yourself to something you care about. Actions speak far louder than words. Fight hate and evil with actions of love. All the talk in the world won’t change what happened, but loving people and loving yourself will show that people care.

Those who died probably wouldn’t want a gun debate in their honor, but I bet they would be touched to know people left work early to go be with their families, or gave their time to help those in need, in memory of them. To know that people sacrificed something they love for someone else and are working to show the good in people.  Pay it forward. THAT is turning something negative into something positive far more than words on a timeline, posts of outrage, or rants amongst friends.

So let’s do it. Spread the word. Do something good today. It doesn’t have to be huge, sometimes the smallest things mean the most. Honor those who died with action, inspire others to do good, show them that we all can overcome such mindless evil with kindness, patience and love.

Because nothing is more powerful than love…