Lessons from 9/11

“If we learn nothing else from this tragedy, we learn life is short and there is no time for hate.” - Sandy Dahl, wife of Flight 93 pilot Jason Dahl


The loss from September 11th, 2001 is immense to say the least. Pulling emotion from mostly anyone, at any moment, from just a memory. I didn’t lose anyone personally from the events of 9/11 but I empathize with those who did. 


Receiving those heartbreaking text messages from victims of the planes, sending their final “I love you”s, their final goodbyes. Spouses and children of those hardworking individuals who simply went in for another day of work, never imagining it would be their last. The heroes on the front line, fully aware they were risking their lives, but committed to saving others. Their families, their friends. The events from 9/11 ripped nearly 3,000 human lives away from us. How can we waste any time hating each other when that reality exists?


I have written about grief. Different kinds of loss. How distant relatives or old friends dying affected me vs. the sudden loss of my only sibling. Life is short as a takeaway is about as obvious as it gets. We all know it. We’re not here forever. No moments are guaranteed, no lifetime lasts forever. What is the point of hate? How does it benefit us? How does it benefit our community? Imagine a world of people who focus simply on love. 


This world has been torn apart because of hate. Hating each other for having different views, for breaking up with us, for cutting us off in traffic when we have definitely done the same. Most of us want the same thing. We want to live happy lives. We want love. Well, love can be hard. Especially when it comes to loving ourselves. It takes practice. Rewriting of thoughts. Giving the benefit of the doubt. Sacrificing and an open mind. While hate might seem easier, it makes everything else harder. For every moment I waste on hate, I will contribute small acts of kindness. For every moment I spend on love, I too get to feel love. Love is worth the effort. 


So today and every day you can, hug your loved ones. Tell them you love them. Not because they might die tomorrow, but because we are alive today. Spend time creating and sharing precious moments to appreciate one another. Fill your mind with uplifting thoughts. Whether or not you believe in the good of somebody, trust they have some good inside of them. They have qualities that will be missed. We all deserve love. Those people we’re urged to hate, they need it the most. Let’s honor all the lives lost with love for them and for each other.