Reliving Horror; 9/11 All Over the Tube
Last night I sat for a brain-numbing three hours of 9/11 footage. At first I was completely choked-up and was floored to see folks retell their stories of their final calls with their dying loved ones or the freakish survival stories of folks who just happen to choose the right staircase to make it out of the World Trade Center towers just minutes before their collapse. Ultimately, it’s a memory that we will forever live with. A day that rivals any horror, drama or tear-jerker script Hollywood could ever come up with. God willing we will never endure that type of soul-shattering tragedy again.
Mahogany Theme… Do You Know?
Have you had one of those days when you ask yourself, “Do you know where you’re going to; do you like the things that life is showing you?” Well, you know (or should) the words to the Diana Ross, Mahogany theme. Truth is, the question has been repeatedly popping in to my head and the truth is, I don’t know. I’m grateful for my family, my incredible friends and my new-found companions, but I’m perplexed on the “where to” factor. I’m at one of those crossroads where something has got to change. To be clear folks, I’m happy, comfortable and content…but I’m restless. It’s time for a change. In the coming weeks I’ll be exploring (and hopefully sharing with you) changes I’d like to make to improve myself. Please feel free to chime in (you guys are my extended dysfunctional family) to give your opinions.
Big “Ben” Theory
A breath of fresh air, a light in the dark
I enjoyed your banter, from the very start
Today you celebrate that special day
When your poor mom screamed and kicked where she lay
You’re beautiful, funny and definitely smart
Just the man for that special part
An actor by day, a realist by night
May today and always be glorious and bright
Happy Birthday!
On Blast
September 11 affected all Americans. Many of us are different for that one horrific experience. What personal tragedy has transformed your life and inspired a positive change for you? How are you different for it?
Keep passin’ the open windows…
3 comments:
I worked and lived near Ground Zero until December 2001. That whole experience taught me not to take people for granted or anything in life for granted. I try to tell the people I love how I feel as often as I can. I don't hold on to anger over little things, I try to forgive and move on, because I don't want to waste a day being angry when I can be happy. I try to focus on what's important in my life and not the negative things or negative people. I try to appreciate even the little things that we so often take for granted like the beautiful weather or the laughter of a child. I try not to waste too much time sleeping and try to live every moment to the fullest. I try to be good to myself and take care of myself and try to experience life more today and not put off things for tomorrow. LIVE and LET LIVE. And LOVE, LOVE, LOVE.
Although 9/11 had an enormous impact on my life – namely, sometimes things (delays; missed trains, etc.) happen for a reason – I believe my most tragic moment in life was the realization that I was my worse critic and therefore could inflict the worse consequences on myself. After a failed relationship, I turned all judgment and resentment on myself. I began a Russian-roulette dance with death believing I didn’t deserve better and therefore, I should abuse myself. One year after I began this self-sabotage, my body was worn, torn, exhausted and at the brink of death. When I finally moved back to NYC, I realized that in that one year I aged more than my entire 10 years in DC. At 118 lbs. I looked completely spent and I knew I had to make peace with myself or make funeral arrangements. It took over a year to heal. I had to forgive myself, ask others to forgive me, recognize how I could live better and take action in making my life positive again. The lessons I learned in that year are now permanent CORE values in my life. Honesty: Tell the truth – always. Respect: Honor myself and treat others as I’d like to be treated. Resolve: Expect the best from others and remove those from your life that serve to diminish you.
Happy Birthday Brendan. It was my birthday too!
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