September 11, 2001: A Perfect Reason To Appreciate Life

CLEVELAND - If the infamous terrorist attacks on the United States nine years ago today can't make a person appreciate the value of life, nothing will.

Such a shame.

With that impossibly awful day still such an indelible aspect of America, I think it should come to symbolize the event that taught the world more than a few sobering lessons. Too often, we get caught up in what we don't have or how much we wish we did have. The senseless and callous murder of some 3,000 people that historic morning serves as a flash point in the evolution of us all; love what you have and appreciate it tremendously because even if others have so much more, there are still others that have so much less.

Seriously.

Imagine what must've went through the minds of the passengers on those doomed airliners once they realized that they weren't going to ever see their loved ones again. What must it have been like to live (even for a few moments) with not being able to kiss their husbands, wives or children ever again? Yes, life is full of struggles everyday and we can't help being angry or overwhelmed by them. But 9/11 is the most seminal event that everyone was affected by in some way that should cause us to prioritize and gain some serious perspective on life.

Love your life, unconditionally. You will one day wish you still had it this good....no matter what it is like at this present moment.

The Absolute Horror of 9/11

CLEVELAND - Today marks arguably the worst, most brutal day in United States history. It was an unspeakable tragedy of epic proportions that felt like sudden Armageddon and ended in over 3,000 deaths.

September 11, 2001.

Eight years ago today was an overwhelmingly tragic day for the nation, but it was also a terrifying day to those of us that weren't directly affected. Thankfully, I didn't lose any loved ones in any of the attacks on the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and Shanksville, PA, but it was a very nerve-wrecking day nonetheless. I awoke that morning with two thoughts on my mind; reports had surfaced the previous day about Michael Jordan's decision to return to pro basketball, this time with the Washington Wizards after a nearly four year hiatus. Also, Jay-Z's highly anticipated album, The Blueprint was set for release on this day. Both things delighted me to no end, but watching the see-it-to-believe it situation unfolding on television caused initial shock, then as the day progressed, absolute fear.

I was scared.

There was an air of panic that hovered over that day. There was apprehension just getting on a bus or rapid transit. Bomb threats were reported in Cleveland and the normally populous downtown section was a veritable ghost town at noon, normally the busiest time of the day.

Interesting to me, Jay-Z was set to release The Blueprint 3 today (he released it three days ago) and Jordan is being enshrined into the Basketball Hall of Fame in a few hours. Talk about irony and coincidence.

With the massive deaths and heroism, this is clearly an indelible day that will forever live in infamy. It is also a day that is symbolic of America's resolve.

God continue to keep us safe from a repeat of such cruelty.