Dear Reader,
On this September 11, I am feeling the weight of the day more than on some previous anniversaries of 9/11. Perhaps it is because this year, I am living far away from the country of my birth, and far from my beloved New York City, where I lived in 2001.
Or perhaps I am feeling sadness that the day has been turned into such a political football this year, and the memory of the attacks is being used as an excuse to practice intolerance. The news today is filled with anger and hatred, and I cannot help but remember that in the days immediately after the attacks on the World Trade Center, there was little of either to be found in Manhattan. We mainly felt grief for those who were lost, a sadness that the world had come to this, and a strong desire to connect with and console each other.
Anger and hatred are born in fear. We are seeing a lot of fear in the world right now.
Fear blocks your inner wisdom as nothing else can. Fear shuts down your voice of guidance, and puts you in survival mode. One of the most powerful ways we can use the memory of this day constructively is to not give in to fear in our lives. What would that look like for you, dear reader?
Maybe you would take that class you’ve been wanting to take for a long time; or maybe you would apply for that job, or start your own business, or reach out to that person you’ve been wanting to reach out to – or maybe you would simply plant some flowers in your back yard.
When we ask ourselves what we can take from our personal experience of this day and pass on to others, what seeds we can plant in the world from which others can benefit, maybe it is the choice to act from love rather than fear.
I honor your loving heart,
John
Leave a Reply