9/11

The world we live in.

Today is a sad day. For Canadians, for Americans, for Muslims, for all human beings. No longer are the days that we are safe anywhere. In our homes, in our streets, in our country or abroad. This is a fact, our world will never be what it was pre-9/11. So what do we do from here?

Do we live in fear? Do we raise our children to doubt all humanity? Do we stop living our lives and do our best to simply sustain ourselves? Do we let them win? I think we all know the answer to that. We have all listened to the news, read the reports and watched those planes crash if once, then a million times. Our country’s leaders have begged us for five years to continue living, to support your country….to unite and be strong.

As a whole, that sounds easy to do. We have discussed these issues around conference tables at work. We have all shed a tear with a family member on the phone. We have all gone to bed and prayed for all of the victims and their families of 9/11. But how do we as individuals overcome what we have lived through and carry on emotionally in our new world?

Movies are being produced by the dozens, documentaries about the attacks. I have watched most every one of them. And through each one, each news clip, each interview, each article I see the same message. Live today for today. The victims on Flight 93. Out of every single one of them on that flight and the 50 some odd calls that were made from that plane, only one call went to 911. Where did all of the other calls go out to? Moms and Dads, husbands and wives, sisters, brothers, friends and kids. What does that say about us as human beings? To me it says that when we are facing death we look for comfort from those we love. Those loved ones that received those calls could have done nothing physically to save their loved ones on board that flight. So why were they called and not 911?

Because we are aware that our bodies are just our bodies. It is our sprit that needs comforting and nourishing. We can’t get that from a 911 dispatcher. We get that from those that we have bonded with in our lives. Let them teach us that. Let them teach us that we should not take for granted how our loved ones feed our souls, how our friends support us and how our neighbors lend a helping hand.

Take just a small minute out of your day today to pray. For the victims, their families and each other that have been affected by 9/11 in one way or another. Hug your kids, kiss your partners, tell Mom and Dad you love them. Shake a friend's hand, visit with your neighbor and be thankful that we have all been given another day to do so. God Bless.