The world seems in turmoil. Bushfires, grief and sadness, hate, heinous crimes demonstrating unfathomable disdain for human life, irreparable division, mega viruses, political instability, blatant racism, utterly tragic car crashes, and toxic masculinity stimulate and trigger receptors every day. Confusingly, our typical response, rightly or wrongly, is to walk on eggshells when discussing the reasons.

We sit on the fence and wait for splinters to take hold. We remain silent or try to be so careful with our language that offence inadvertently occurs.

Murder is murder. A person who commits murder is a murderer. How else could you describe an inhuman man who douses his wife and children in petrol and sets them on fire; burning them to death in a car where his kids were harnessed for, ironically, their safety. How else could you describe a man who inflicts trauma on those who rendered assistance, innocent bystanders, and our heroic first-responders. Who cares that he was an ex-NRL player - does that lessen the crime? He wasn't pushed to the limit. He committed multiple acts of murder and he is a murderer.

Child grooming is child grooming. It is sexual in nature and has one purpose; a sickening desire to lure children for criminal acts before blackmailing damaged and scared youngsters, who often blame themselves, to keep quiet. A person convicted of child grooming is a pedophile and should be before the courts receiving an appropriate sentence that punishes, deters, and emboldens community trust in the rule of law. The response is not difficult, but we often get it so wrong. In fact, we use terms and language that softens our message to prevent offence or, perversely, to protect criminals who we may know or hold a different viewpoint regarding their guilt even in the face of overwhelming evidence and testimony. "Keep an open mind." "Don't rush to judgement." "There were mitigating factors." "He was pushed to his limit." "What a pile on." "It wasn't even sex." "Men are victims as well." It is nauseating. But, in all the turmoil and tragedy, we must find ways to respond with acknowledgment and overwhelming positivity. To honour those killed or impacted by such horrendous acts we must find ways to limit the chances of hideous and monstrous behaviour occurring again.

We will never stop evil, yet we must use our spheres of influence to try and make a difference. We must call out behaviour that we know is wrong. We must encourage young people to speak out. And we must encourage and recognise kindness.

It is most unfortunate that basic acts of kindness have been politicised and frequently viewed as weakness. Children must be explicitly taught how to read and write and count and they must also be taught how to be kind. Kindness sets people apart; an admirable quality which ensures that others feel valued. Kindness is also telling the truth.

We all must receive constructive criticism to aid development and improve performance. Positive, practical, and timely feedback is leadership underpinned by kindness. However, as parents, we can, at times, be our own worst enemies. One of the reasons keeping score has been removed from junior sporting competitions is to enhance participation through enjoyment.

The other reason is because association administrators are sick and tired of dealing with aggrieved coaches and parents challenging anything from incorrect stopwatch procedure to the perceived incompetence of junior officials. Don't get me wrong, winning is important along with hard work, striving to improve, persistence, and playing to the best of your ability. And so is learning how to lose and accepting that sometimes people make mistakes. What is troubling, is that on occasions, the levels of anger and frustration witnessed at these events can influence impressionable children who accept this negative role-modelling as the appropriate way to act. It is not. The world may be in turmoil and we can't prevent a world in turmoil from spinning. What we can do is empower our community through repeatedly demonstrating to our young people the very best version of who we can be.