Silver Lining

We all remember where we were, what we were doing, how we found out.  Although it has been thirteen years, the memories are still fresh.  And with all that is going on in the world now, it's hard not to look around and only see the negativity.  Why is there so much hate in the world?  So much evil?  What is happening to mankind?

It makes my heart ache.

But among all the sadness, all the heartache, and headache, and misfortune, and negativity, and hate…there is still good.  There are terrible, awful people in this world that do horrendous things.  But there are also good, compassionate, caring, loving people who do miraculous things.

On a day like today, I can't help but to think about the emptiness that we experienced as a nation thirteen years ago.  But I also think about our resiliency and unity.  I'm reminded of the compassion that complete strangers showed one another.  People who should have been running away from something so terrifying were, instead, running straight towards it.  And that gives me hope.

I know that the world's problems are big, complicated, messes.  There isn't an easy solution.  The problems aren't ones that will just go away if we ignore them long enough.  It's going to take time, and serious effort to "fix" all of them.

But I still can't help but wonder, isn't it just so much easier to be kind to one another?  Wouldn't things happen faster if we just loved each other?

So, as we reflect on the events that happened on September 11th, 2001, I challenge you to look around and find something positive happening in the world.  Honor all of the people who lost their lives on that day by sharing love, not hate.  Find the silver lining in the middle of a thunderstorm and hold on tight to it.  Never forget that the world is a beautiful place.  Be part of the beauty.