We are, as a people, a sentimental breed. Come anniversaries, it seems we cannot help ourselves but look back over our shoulder, and we do. The good anniversaries, the bad ones, the ugly ones, it doesn't seem to matter. The latter seem to hit especially hard, triggering unresolved resentment, anger, guilt and a large dollop of "if only" and "should."
Seemingly further estranged from life as we'd hoped to be living it by now, we do well to "go gently" into the day, maybe even "lowering the bar." I am reminded of the story about the journeyman who asked a fellow traveler, "How can I reach Mt. Olympus?" to which Socrates replied: "Just make every step you take go in that direction."
This year, as America faces the 10th anniversary of the largest attack on its own soil, we need to ask ourselves, "Are we going in the direction of peace, deepened cross-cultural understanding and compassion?" Are we changing our lives for the good? Let's not lose ourselves in myriad interviews, resurrected footage of that fateful day or speculation of what might happen next without a scrutiny that promotes something better.
One thing is for sure: We are always lost when we forget who we are. Maybe there are one or two of you out there who wish to remember who we are and what we must reclaim to build a better future. This begins with a few questions for those willing to play. Let's bravely ask ourselves the following:
How much have we grown since 9/11, as individuals, as a country and as a world? What seed have we been cultivating since then: more fear, or something more constructive, more illuminating? What have we planted in our hearts since that September day? Maya Angelou once told me: " ... You look a fool if you plant a tomato seed and when it's time to harvest go out and expect to find oranges ... Ask for what you want and then give it away, because you're going to get so much more of it back ... Don't die before you've done something wonderful for humanity."
So I am asking you and me: "What is the something wonderful we are doing for humanity over this last decade, and more importantly, today?" When we note our heart's desire, do we implement it? Or do we listen to our own inner terrorist, getting swept up with conformity to the prevailing attitude, "It's a dog eat dog world"? How much are we still playing "us vs. them" in our own lives? Do our choices advance growth or stunt it? Indulge me, if you will, and let me know where you are. Here's an example as a warm up.
It doesn't interest me what George W. Bush was thinking on 9/11, when the U.S. was attacked by those who believed their superiority in their god's eyes. What I want to know is, what do you believe today?
It doesn't interest me whether Dick Cheney still justifies torture to secure information from the imprisoned. The ends do not justify crimes against humanity. What I want to know is, what fear captures you, tortures you, in the middle of the night? What I want to know is, what would help you find rest?
It doesn't interest me to travel down memory lane with an effort to resurrect, to sensationalize what is no longer, without learning how to build a better world based on peace, collaboration, even if such a thing strikes the cynical as foolish. What I want to know is, what returns you to life this second, and are you willing to treasure the moment before us in the name of those who cannot?
It doesn't interest me to get caught up in the political power grabbing and mud-slinging web of the wanna-bes for leadership. What I want to know is, what are you doing today to take the helm of your own ship through recent unexpected and turbulent seas in this shared life of ours?
It doesn't interest me to weigh in on who's right and who's wrong about the economic crisis. What I want to know is, what are you and I doing to invest in creating a better day before bed tonight?
It doesn't interest me to speculate on the next breach of Homeland Security, Wikileaks or terrorist threat. What I want to know is, what are you doing to secure the care, feeding and expression of the human heart?
What are we doing to bring about a world of collaborative action for our children and our children's children, seeded today in our thinking and actions and harvested tomorrow?
It doesn't interest me to lament what we've lost as individuals, countries and planet in the past 10 years. What I want to know is, are we willing to be found? Are we willing to find the best we can be at work in the world? Are we willing to find the best in those we call our enemies?
Are we willing to enter into the unfamiliar together and discover threads uniting us as brothers and sisters of one source of life? Are we willing to get better at finding the good in those with whom we disagree or have suffered injury?
Are we willing to share a seat at the table with a stranger? Are we willing to extend a helping hand more than yesterday?
Are we willing to find that naysayer inside our own head and "out" him when he gets in the way of living more gratefully, more spontaneously?
Are we wiling to say "Please forgive me," when harsh words escape our lips? Or, are we stagnating at the same level of understanding, as in years gone by?
Are we willing to step up, take a stand, use our voice when witnessing injustice, prejudice, intolerance, rather than hide in the shadows muttering "It's none of my business," or "It's not my fault"? Are we willing to get involved?
The real question is, are we willing to grow trust in our hearts and do what we must to repair situations of mistrust?
It doesn't interest me what you are against this September 11th, regardless where you live. What I want to know is, what are you for? What have you learned? What is your truth? What would unify us more and tear us apart less?
Your turn. I have missed you this past month. Let me know your answers. I'm listening and learning from you, my teachers.
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