The Power of Appreciation

We have this fascination with reality crime shows in my house, namely the Investigation Discovery channel. After watching several back-to-back episodes of people who went on killing sprees, I noticed a very revealing pattern in their personal lives. 

AFTER the person is arrested and convicted, family and friends tell interviewers how the person was such a nice guy/lady, great family member, wonderful friend, ultra talented, could make friends anywhere, was a good person, gifted in so many areas, giving, etc.... Ask any psychologist or sociologist and they will tell you that no one who is loved and appreciated openly goes on killing sprees. 

Where are all those people when the murderer needed those words of support and encouragement and respect before he broke? 

The human psyche has its limits. Some are stronger than others but you just never know what will make a mind break. That break comes in different forms and very often involves violence, either to others or on themselves. Don't take the people in your life for granted. Show them now how much they are appreciated because later may very well be too late.