It would be tough to write about anything other than 9-11. While it is always in our hearts and minds, it is especially hard during this period. Some events that happen in our lives take years to remember details because we are so traumatized. Or, in this case, Terrorized. Or both.
We all know where we were the morning of September 11th, 2001.
We have all seen the images, videos, and on and on. We have met people who lost family members. We met people in the clean-up whose lives and health were damaged or ended because of the clean-up.
The only way to get through these weeks is to reflect on the lives lost, the lives left, and what Life became because of the experience.
Who was moved to make a change or make a difference?
We all remember how we looked at each other, in the eyes, the day after. Most of us valued Life more than the day before.
- How to give love
- How to give a smile
- How to have compassion in our hearts
- How to value our freedoms
- How to be thankful for each other
The first trip I took several weeks after 9-11. Francesca and I went to Florida. Unfortunately, I did not make my flight arrangements early enough, so we ended up in the back of the airplane.
The one thing that stuck out was how huge the men on the plane were. I am mostly Irish, so it is usually in preparation for a fight when I size up a situation. (That’s a joke) But, I remember looking down the aisle and thinking, these guys have it handled.
NYC
In May of 2015, I had a trip to NYC with a group of UK Contractors and Spouses. We went on a dinner cruise, and at one point, the boat was by the Statue of Liberty and turned so everyone could take pictures of the NYC “Tribute in Lights.”
One guy turned to me and choked up said, “on September 11th, when America was attacked, we felt like we were attacked.” That still brings tears to my eyes. Especially when you remember we were cousins and enemies not much more than 200 years earlier.
He meant that he recognized their way of Life and freedoms were also being threatened and they were terrorized.
Is being a Survivor is in our DNA?
Why do some people see danger and others do not?
- Why do some believe what they are told?
- Why do others not question what they are hearing?
- How can people be so educated and yet be such followers?
Since my family was in this country more than 100 years before it became a country, my families on both sides fought each other: the North and the South.
Family members arrived in the NE from England before 1650 (possibly 100 years before 1650) and to Virginia around the same time. The most recent, the Irish, came to escape the Potato Famine and the British in the mid-1800s.
I could be a Daughter of the Revolution, and United Daughter of the Confederacy.
I was raised in a religion that many people “hated” because “we were not Christians”…. That lack of education about religion still exists today.
Yes, there are all kinds of problems in organized religion. Why? Humans run them. Humans are flawed. Does that make the belief or doctrine flawed?
For Christians, we argue doctrine, which church is the true church, who does communion correctly, baptism, and on and on. What we forget is that there is one true common denominator, the son of God. That guy by the name of Jesus the Christ.
I often think, “if he be for us then he not be against us.”
38And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth not us. 39But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me. 40For he that is not against us is on our part. 41For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward.
If we as Christians, appreciate each other’s religious differences and move forward with the actual message, what a difference we could make. But, instead, we take up precious time arguing doctrine and or processes.
Now add to that our Jewish friends. Christians have so much in common with Jews, and Jews have much in common with Islam. So what is the problem? Control? Indoctrination? And meanwhile, the poor Sikhs get pounded on because of misinformation and ignorance.
When I hear someone talking badly about a specific religion, I ask myself, “Are they cutting off heads?”
I always think to myself – If he is for us, then he not be against us.
Who is for us? Who is against us?
Can you identify the enemy, or are you repeating what you hear without questioning trusted informers? Ask Questions. See how long you are allowed to ask questions before being told you are not “teachable.”
If you genuinely do not know the answer, search for the truth –
Andy and I talk about how we as a society got to where we are today.
I have the utmost respect for his knowledge in history, military history, government, and how it works or should work. But, what is different about people today? Why is there less discernment?
Was it when we decided that Life had no real value? Why is there such an increase in suicide and mental health? What changed over the last 50 or 60 years? Did we have it too good?
Take a look at what Life looked like in 1900; fast forward 50 or 60 years, what changed?
I know people who are too smart to ever believe in a higher power. Their education in Science has proven to them that there is no God, so this whole Jesus thing is just a bunch of bologna. The followers of Jesus Christ or our friends, the Jewish believers who have great faith in God, they too are thought to be misguided by this “God” Christians and Jews believe is real.
Last night at a Retired Military Officers dinner
A Chaplain stood up to say a few words before asking for the Blessing on the Meal. He said he went to Shanksville and gave what I will call his testimony and experience during his Shanksville visit. He said he read one of Todd Beamer’s wife, Lisa Beamer’s, books. Those on Flight 93 recited the Lord’s Prayer and Psalm 23.
The Chaplain then talked about the words in Psalm 23.
23 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my Life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
When we no longer believe in God, when we no longer value Life, when we would rather cop-out, stay high instead of fight the fight, when our children ask, “why is that man hanging on the wall?” or they see an Angel and ask, “What is that with wings?”
See a movie or photo with a tattooed number on the arm and have no clue the reason for the tattoo. Or be oblivious to why a government would want to disarm their people while being surrounded by protection.
But, what if the children are not taught about history? How would they recognize the enemy?
Last night I sat next to a woman with a beautiful accent.
I asked her where she was from; she said Austria. We talked about the things happening around us, and she reminded those of us at the table that we are moving in the same direction as when Hilter was in charge. Would you discount what she is saying? She was there, and she lived it, have you?
Some people have discernment because it is a gift; others see the danger because they have been “tuned up” more than a few times, meaning getting your Arse kicked a few times will keep you alert. Finally, some people know the history and recognize patterns.
And now I am questioning if some people are doomed simply because their DNA is not a survivor.
How do you exterminate 6M+ people? Little by little, they take away their rights; to food, jobs, health, travel, protection, take away their power.
Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain.
It doesn’t happen overnight; it happens little by little. It is happening right now, and the world leaders are turning their heads.
Dispensable people are being annihilated, and no one cares. If you find yourself turning your head now, you can understand why so many knew of the atrocities against Jews and did nothing about it.
Life takes a Fighter, or you become a Follower
The Back Story
I tend to agree with my father, who one time said, “I don’t care if she worships a goat” what he meant is the decision to choose what you believe is your decision, not mine or someone else’s decision.
Can’t we just let people have their own beliefs? Is that called Freedom of Religion?
We actually could, but there will always be someone who wants Control. And Control is usually tied to money and power. Follow the money.
I laugh today when I hear how great being stoned is. Remember I was stoned, and I missed it? I know about being stoned; it is a waste of good time. Been there, done that. Ain’t doing it again.
Controllers, just like your abuser, want you to be stoned and addicted. They want to control your thoughts, what you do, whether you succeed. After all, a Minion will question nothing.
What is the best way to take over a country? First, make sure the population is Stoned, Addicted, Confused, or Dazed & Confused??
I can hear Andy sarcastically saying, Yes, drugs are r-e-a-l-l-y great.
I think I have sufficiently had my “Arse” kicked both physically and emotionally in my Life. So, it may have taken a little while, but I can smell danger.
The smelling danger thing is called Survival. So, that might be the advantage of not having a “lily-white” life.
What to Write About? Writing Prompts
I recall a junior high classmate who came to school one day after missing quite a few days, and she told us while she was sick, her father asked her, “Emma, what’s ailing you, darling?” I recall she thought that was so funny. What’s Ailing you?
- Maybe write about what’s ailing you.
- What’s on your mind?
- In your heart?
- What does Survival mean to you? Maybe a time you had to survive.
Stories to encourage you to write for Personal Growth, Ignoring the Noise to Move Forward. Life Writing and Storytelling for Growth Motivation.
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