When Bad Things Happen
Sep 12, 2025
Note: This week’s reflection touches on themes of loss and grief. My hope is that it will encourage empathy and kindness.
To be honest, this week has been a heavy one.
A few days ago in our neighborhood, a teenage boy was struck and killed by a car as he was riding an e-bike.
Just down the street.
As the news rippled across the neighborhood, shock turned to sadness, and the response was an outpouring of grief and love.
Our church community rallied around the family, meals and support flooded in, and the city came together over this tragic accident.
Because that’s how community takes care of each other in hard times.
Then, just as people were coming to grips with the new reality, the news broke about the shooting and death of conservative activist, Charlie Kirk.
Like many others, I watched the horrific event unfold in real time. It was as unexpected as it was tragic.
Sadly it occurred on a campus I am fond of and in a community I care deeply about. And I personally know people who were there.
But in comparison to my community and the loss of the young man, the response to this national-level tragedy has had reactions as different as they are widespread.
Many people have been introspective and empathetic. Grieving with Mr. Kirk’s bereaved family and the unimaginable gap that now fills their lives. They have lost a son, a father, and a husband.
Others, however, have been less charitable. I’ve witnessed people who sweep over the event with a sense of grim comeuppance.
And sadder still, others…especially some prominent leaders and media personalities… seem to amplify and perpetuate the very divisive rhetoric that likely fueled the tragedy in the first place.
I’m sure you’ve noticed these things too. Especially on social media and the news.
My question is this: When bad things happen, what does it say about who we are?
When tragedy and misfortune strikes, what can you learn about yourself and how you react?
Earlier this week my local community responded to tragedy in a way that deepened our ties and reinforced our identity as people who care for one another.
Can we say the same for our country?
And if these events weren’t enough, this week we were soberly reminded of yet another disaster as we paused to reflect on the 24th anniversary of 9/11.
For those of us who recall that fateful day, for all the shock and sadness we experienced, I think one glimmer of hope in the aftermath was seeing how people came together.
As a country for the first time- in a long time- there was a sense of unity and togetherness.
But that seems to have been lost today.
When bad things happen, what does it say about who we are?
More importantly, what do you want to do about it?
Are there things you want to change?
I hope that we can take this moment to reflect.
Reflect about who we are individually, who we are as a people, and how we can stand to be a little kinder.
A little more empathetic.
Who can you reach out to?
Who needs a phone call?
Who needs a hug?
It turns out those little things really do matter and make a difference.
Because that’s how community takes care of each other in hard times.
Christian
CHRISTIAN HANSEN has gone behind the scenes in some of the biggest organizations in the world to find out the reasons why some people get chosen and why others don’t. As the 2X #1 bestselling and LinkedIn Top Ten ranked author of “The Influence Mindset: The Art & Science of Getting People to Choose You” Christian helps teams and organizations who want to stand out and be the obvious choice. With degrees from Brigham Young University and The London School of Economics, he’s helped thousands of individuals position and sell themselves. A fan of international communication, history, and choral music, he currently lives in Utah with his wife. Reach him at: TheChristianHansen.com
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