As a reporter working in the New York City suburbs 15 years ago, I spent months covering the aftermath of the Terrorist Attacks on the World Trade Center. In the ensuing years, I covered the somber ceremonies held on the anniversary of that horrific day.
Those ceremonies are held to remind us what we lost that day. They are held as a reminder of what we stand to lose if our vigilance wanes. Yet they are also held as a reminder of what we stand to gain.
You see, if we really want to “make America great again,” we cannot forget the most important lessons we learned on September 11, 2001:
- Take nothing for granted.
- Thank the people who keep us safe.
- Tell the people in your life that you love them.
- Take time to enjoy the “little things” in life; they are the most precious.
- Make the most of every opportunity presented to you.
- Know that you are stronger than you think, and that you are capable of more than you can possibly imagine.
- Never underestimate the resiliency of the human spirit in general and your own in particular.
- Never underestimate the human capacity for love.
- Exercise compassion.
- Know you are blessed and help those who are less fortunate.
- Do not fear adversity; it will bring out the best in you.
- Never surrender when confronted by hate.
- Lead by example.
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