Honoring Sept 11th - What Have We Learned.

The most impactful thing about the days and months and years after September 11th for me was listening to the experience of our nation's children. I heard so many kids explaining what the day meant to them and what their plans were to help make the world a better place.  One thing was clear.  It shifted the course of their futures. This event struck all of us on so many levels and continues to be a marker in the conversation about the brotherhood of man and how we practice humanity around the globe.

What have we learned? It seems, not much. Peace is the task at hand. In the face of unimaginable destruction. Peace remains the highest priority.

In many ways, September 11^th 2001 was so long ago and yet deeply present in the DNA of where we are today. There was so much love and understanding and connection broken open after the tragic events that re-shaped our nation.

Looking backwards to leap forward and to be present in the healing spaces of now. There is an undercurrent to do harm to someone, anyone, after an attack that takes a brave heart to parse through. The loss of so many so quickly was hard to fathom and relationally we crowded together, we joined in somber memorials and we raced to flag stores to buy American flags to fly in solidarity for all that we remembered in the face of what we had deeply lost.

The world changes when you open to the love available in every situation. If we had remained steadfast in our loving connected energy and not turned to the war complex the world would be a different space today. Interestingly enough in finding so many stories of loss and love and heart break and bravery and compassion in the hearts of all the feelings remain as New York rose up and continues to reimagine and rebuild and honor the occasion. I ran into this clip of Angela Lansbury at the Mormon Tabernacle discussing her concerns and reaction in the year after the attacks and how as a Grandmother she wanted to respond to what she witnessed. Angela Landsbury asked herself what she could contribute with her talents.  The answer was as simple as it is beautiful... to sing a song using her voice to spread a message and remind all of us it is our job to be there for our kids, all our kids.

"All of us, grand parents, parents, aunts, and uncles, we all have to try to do everything that we possibly can to show them that they are safe and loved and that good will triumph over evil and right will prevail."

As she sings this beautiful song for the Christmas show at the Mormon Tabernacle Ms. Lansbury speaks the truth and spreads the message that all of us deeply understand.  Not only do children listen to everything we say.  They are sponges of the world they inhabit and it is our responsibility to nourish their hearts and souls with love. Reassure the little ones.  So they feel safe and whole. I don't know how you hold September 11th in your heart but I do know that for me it remains the day that millions of children's hearts shifted in consciousness and their understanding of safety took a beating.

To everyone, now and forever I join in this message from Stephen Sondheim, sung below so beautifully by Angela Lansbury....

Nothing's gonna harm you, not while I'm around. Nothing's gonna harm you, no sir, not while I'm around.

Demons are prowling everywhere, nowadays, I'll send 'em howling, I don't care, I got ways.

No one's gonna hurt you, No one's gonna dare. Others can desert you, Not to worry, whistle, I'll be there.

Demons'll charm you with a smile, for a while, But in time... Nothing can harm you Not while I'm around...

Not to worry, not to worry

While we may experience worry and stress it is our job to protect our children, to do the right thing, to make a commitment . To shield them from harm’s way and to enlighten their journey. It is our job as parents and teachers and land lords of the earth to rise into our magnificence and teach our children well moving forward.

The children who were 8-9 at the time of the attacks are now leading the charge of justice, they are aligned in the truth of what it means to have an anxiety and a reality that anything can happen at anytime.

Let us know what you think. Let us know how you are planning a love movement a space of kindness an act of consideration. Let us know.

Lots of Love,

Mel