Sean Taylor's Death Doesn't Have to Be in Vain

In the wake of Sean Taylor's death due to a yet another act of violence, we are left to wonder again what caused this go down and what we can take away from the incident.

The various news outlets and articles detailing the star's death all make note of how he was turning his life around after the birth of his child. They point to his various legal issues he had before making the turn, perhaps because they are speculating that this was a result of those acts or of a checkered past. From what recent reports state, this doesn't appear to be the case, as police are now saying this looks like a random shooting. However, random normally stops for me when the victim's household is broken into just weeks before he's shot in his home by an intruder. Then again, I'm not here to speculate tonight, so I'll get back on track.

Regardless of the whys and hows, this is simply another reminder to us all, parents, children, and athletes alike, that no one is safe from violence.

For parents, this means teaching using examples such as this, and that of various other high-profile athletes and public figures to teach our children the skills with which to make decision for themselves. Teach them what to look for in a friend. Teach them what is right and what is wrong. Show them the rewards and consequences of their decisions. Give them the strength and courage to be strong in the face of temptation and peer pressure. Show them that true happiness is met after hard work and perseverance. Lead them down the path that will ensure both their safety and their growth.

For children, always remember that you are the future and that every decision you make over the course of your life affects the path that builds before you. Regardless of how much you straighten that path out in the future, the road you took to get there will always be laid behind you. The only way to secure yourself an uncompromised future is to do everything you can to avoid building obstacles that you need to climb. This is not to say that you cannot grow from a wrong choice, but remember that the windier the road, the more difficult it becomes to straighten out.