Perspective

September 12, 2011.  Just another Monday, right?  Kind of.  As far as days go, it was not the best I have ever had.  I spent nearly three hours in a parking lot with a super strange car issue… involving a dead remote, an endless car alarm, and lots of people staring.  Oy.  I have to admit that it definitely put me in a foul mood. 

Yesterday – September 11, 2011.  The ten-year anniversary of the terrorist attacks.  Of course I thought about it and I reflected on it.  That doesn’t make me unique.  At the same time, it was a normal Sunday in my life.  I drove home from my little mini-visit to Chicago, worked on my lectures and went out to dinner with a couple of friends.  But it was on my mind.

I had planned to go to a September 11 memorial after work today.  Considering how my day didn’t go how I wanted and my foul mood, I thought about just skipping it.  And yet, I went.  And it was amazing – a single American flag on an open hillside for each individual that lost life on that day ten years ago.  And attached to each flag was a card describing the people.  In some cases it was detailed information, telling the story of these people.  It could have been my story or your story.  Some of them were striking – like the story of an immigrant woman chasing her American dream on her first day at a new job, in one of the towers.  Another was the story of a small child on an airplane.  It was kind of a surreal experience to walk through the memorial and it definitely made me emotional. 

I left the memorial with new perspective.  When I arrived, I was feeling down because of such inconsequential things that happen to all of us in this adventure of life.  But the memorial reminded me of humanity and of what matters.  We are all so similar, aren’t we?  We all suffer the same inconveniences in life.  We all have hopes and dreams.  We all have fears. 

As I think about that dreadful act and all that has changed since then, I dream of a more open world.  I think about the lyrics from ‘The Mumford & Sons’ -- ‘how can you say that your truth is better than mine?’ (since I can’t stop listening to them!). 

I stopped to pick up some food on my way home after the memorial and encountered such a kind man.  He offered to let me get in line in front of him, although I didn't.  As I was leaving, he turned to me and told me that he really hoped I had a great night and enjoyed my dinner.  It may sound strange, but it was the most sincerely kind interaction.  And it was between total strangers.  It really strengthened the way I was feeling leaving the memorial.  

After all is said and done, I think I ended up having a pretty good day today.  I'm alive and well, so blessed.  I've got an amazing group of people in my life.  I'm trying to be aware and trying to grow and be open.  

And so I ask myself… have I done an act of sincere kindness today?  Have I been kind to strangers?

Today, was I the kind of friend you could call when you are stranded in a parking lot because your own car thinks you are stealing it and the car alarm won’t stop going off?  I want to be that friend.  Today, someone did that for me.

It's good to reflect.  And it's good to remember.  So today, I honor those who lost their life in the 9/11 attacks.  I honor those who protect our country and fight for our freedom.  And as I live my fairly ordinary life and try to continue to grow, I will work on practicing kindness and gratitude - for my friends, family, community and country. 

I am grateful to be a part of this American Life.