Zen Garden > A Tribute For the Anniversary of September 11, 2001

September 11, 2001 changed our way of life. The evil actions of a few have affected millions. How do we make sense of it? How do we feel about this?

I can hardly believe that time has gone by so swiftly since that fateful day in American history. The memory of the planes crashing into the Twin Towers, the Pentagon and the one that crashed into a field, will be etched into people's minds forever. For many of us it was like watching a Hollywood movie as it unfolded before us on television screens all around the world. We watched in stunned silence as we learned that the events were real and were happening in real time.

There will undoubtedly be many families who will be forced to relive the horror of these disasters. The grief that they will feel will be intense. I hope that all those who lost loved ones will take some comfort that people in my country, Australia, will also be praying for the souls of all the innocent people who were so tragically lost.

I searched my extensive personal library for some words that might help those who are still grieving the loss of mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, friends and other loved ones. Eventually, I found the quote that I was looking for. It was from a course I attended in 1990 by Bob Proctor, a renowned personal development coach. The course was called "You Were Born Rich." Here is the quote:

"When you die, all your possessions become someone else's. But the person you are will always belong to you."

It is impossible to make sense of the tragedies that played out on September 11, 2001. The reprisals from the American Government in dealing with the atrocities are understandable. An old cliche comes to mind:

"All that is required for evil to spread is for good men to do nothing."

We now live in a strange world where the harmful actions of a few evildoers can destroy the lives of so many innocents. It is hard to accept that these things still occur.

We pray that such events will never happen again and yet, in the back of our minds, we suspect that they may. We must have faith but we must also be vigilant.

From the book "You Were Born Rich" (ISBN 0 920283 00 4), Bob Proctor quotes the words of Leland Val Vandewall who says:

"Let us not look back in anger, Nor forward in fear, But around us in awareness."

And finally from me:

"Cherish the memories of those you have loved and lost, They will never be forgotten by those who loved them most."

From Australia we share the grief that the families and friends of those who were lost must bear. May God bless America and Australia.

Post Script: The Bali bombing and the terrorism that struck the London transport network prove to us that we must remain on alert at all times.

Gary Simpson is a 7th Dan karate master who teaches self defense, motivation, self help and wealth building to students around the world through home study courses. You may reprint this article as you include this author credit and an active link to his web site. Finance - Self Help - Motivation - Self Defense - Personal Growth MotivationSelfEsteem.com