I opened Twitter. BBC Breaking News tweeted, "US media report two explosions near finish line of Boston Marathon (28 minutes ago)."
#prayforboston was trending.
I immediately thought to myself, 'Not again... '
What is it about the human race that breeds such contempt - contempt so strong that motivates the infliction of harm and pain on our own kind?
The Boston Marathon bombings on April 15 are the latest setback in our continuing fight against terror. As news on the attack continues to unravel, many of us find ourselves saddened, infuriated and repulsed by the ugly details of this tragedy.
How many more lives must be lost; how many more tears must be shed; how many more hearts must be broken before we stop the senseless killing?
The cruel irony of it all is that no amount of lives, tears and broken hearts will stop evil people from engaging in terror. Instead, these things act like fuel to a flame. Terror intends to break the human spirit and hence rejoices when the world weeps.
As terrible as that is, we can take comfort in the fact that while terrorists celebrate in that brief moment of human frailty, they always underestimate the strength of the human spirit. Like 9/11 and the London bombings have so powerfully demonstrated, we always bounce back and become stronger than before.
These evildoers fail to see this and perhaps it is because when acts of terror are performed, the mass media always highlight what terrorists aim to achieve - devastation.
If they only knew how New York in 2001, London in 2005 and now Boston in 2013 have truly responded, they might think twice about planting their bombs.
If they only saw how heroes (policemen, firemen, doctors and common civilians) rose to the challenge, they might then understand that by attacking us, they bring us together.
Perhaps the mass media should make public the beautiful side of humanity - our compassion, love and kindness for each other. Perhaps then, the attacks will diminish.
We are a resilient race. Let all terrorists know that yes, you may be capable of destruction, but we are capable of greater construction and we will never be brought down.
And whilst it is so easy and so natural to hate on these bastards, we won't. Hate begets hate and we will break this cycle. Besides, these perverse people celebrate in our anguish and resentment. We mustn't give them the satisfaction.
Finally, it is wonderful how the world has responded so strongly to the bombings in Boston but let us not forget the senseless killing happening elsewhere in the world. How many of us are aware that just hours after the Boston bombings, Iraq had its own, claiming 50 lives? How many of us are aware of the continuing unrest in Egypt, Bangladesh and Syria?
The lives lost there are not any less valuable than the ones lost in Boston. Let us not forget them and show evildoers everywhere that we are united in our refusal to be broken. We will continue to support each other and rise from every blow dealt.
For the human spirit is indomitable and grows stronger with conflict.