This article was originally published on Sept. 11, 2012.
Today, as you know marks the 11th anniversary of the day that the United States was attacked by terrorists in an event that has forever changed the course of history. I was only in junior high at the time so I didn’t quite understand the full implications of what had transpired. Looking back, I remember how sorry I was for the people who were trapped, and their families waiting to hear about their loved ones or mourning for their loss. My mom was taking my sisters and I to school when we heard on the radio that an airplane had hit one of the world trade center buildings. After the second plane hit, everyone knew that it was no accidental occurrence.
As I sat in my first period class watching the news, I couldn’t help but admire the respect that everyone was giving to this event. My teacher, who was always responsible carried a certain solemn respect that I had never seen before. All of the students sat in silence watching and waiting for some news that might give us an explanation for all of the horrible things that were happening. I had a vague understanding of all the terror that had happened until a few years later when I was looking through a book that described several people’s different stories. While I will most likely never experience anything remotely close to what happened to those people, I was able to develop a deeper respect for them, their families and even mankind in general.
Being a young man, my favorite stories were of course about the policemen, paramedics and firefighters who went into the buildings to save people. However there were even more heroes than that. Ordinary people who did things so that others might have a better chance of survival. These people, including but not limited to the policeman, paramedics, and firefighters were able to find tremendous strength in the face of adversity.
Pondering on all of this reminds me that my life is not bad. Although we all face difficult things at times in our lives, most of us will never have to go through anything like that. However we do have to face some forms of adversity. That’s the price we pay for aiming higher. When we choose to endeavor in a new and difficult direction, adversity comes at us with full force. Whether it’s choosing a new major in school, a new direction in your career, or losing 20 lbs. there will always be some things that fight against us.
Doesn’t it seem like that the very moment you resolve to eat healthier it is not even an hour later that someone tempts you with a delicious treat? Or when you have just planned out a new workout schedule, but your boss gives you over time and when you get home you really don’t feel like working out. Eventually, things will go wrong no matter what we do. We will face adversity, but it’s how we react to that adversity that makes us who we are.
I wish I had written this earlier in the day. I could have done it right after school, but all I wanted to do then was sleep. You see, I’m currently working at night, and going to school a few days in the morning. I’m not saying this for your pity, especially because many of you have probably had worse schedules. I personally am not working, and going to school, and raising kids. Some of you are doing or have done that. Those types of things take a tremendous amount of strength and stamina. I’m not talking about physical strength and stamina (although that is often required as well) what I’m really talking about his our spirit. Our soul that drives us. And in order for our soul to drive us we have to be motivated. We have to have goals, and we have to care.
The terrorists that attacked the World Trade Center buildings will forever be a reminder to me of the darkness and selfishness, and unthoughtfulness that is in this world. However, those firefighters, policemen, paramedics, and everyday men and women that worked so valiantly on September 11, 2001 to help each other will always be a constant reminder to me of the human capability for kindness, and strength. So as you embark upon a new journey, or just renew your vigor in a current one, remember that the most important thing is the action that we take in the face of adversity.
