9/11 and Being American

Let me know in the comments below typing 1 or 2 with which title you think is better suited for this message.

1. "23 Years Later: Reflections on 9/11 and the Power of Gratitude"

2. "The Lessons of 9/11: Gratitude, Growth, and Embracing Vulnerability"

We often forget how fragile life is until moments of tragedy remind us.

As we mark the 23rd anniversary of 9/11, I’m reflecting not only on that fateful day but on how far we’ve come—and how lucky we are to be alive. Here's what I've learned, both personally and as a nation.

Exactly 23 years ago, I was at Rosa International Middle School. The crazy thing is, just days before, my family visited the area where the Twin Towers stood. September 11th, 2001, changed everything. In this article, I want to reflect on how far we've come as a country and share my gratitude for living as an Asian American in New Jersey.

Over the past few years, I’ve found myself hiking and exploring different towns, appreciating the freedoms we often take for granted. One of the privileges I had while working as an Uber driver for six months was the chance to explore and learn about different cities and their histories. The tragic loss of life—police officers, firefighters, medical staff—on that day was immense, and I want to pause to acknowledge the service members who dedicate their lives to protecting others. Our systems are far from perfect, but at least in this country, there’s a path to rise from humble beginnings.

Growing up, I was pretty hard on my parents, and to be honest, I had a negative view of the military. I couldn’t understand why violence had to be the answer. But as I got older, I realized how complex these global issues are. Does America need to be involved in so many international affairs? That's beyond my understanding. What I do believe in, however, is compassion, understanding, and curiosity.

As someone who has been livestreaming and putting myself out there more on social media, I’ve started reflecting on just how lucky I am. In 2024, English is a universal language, and because of that, I’m able to connect with people around the world. People are eager to learn about American culture, and I bring a unique lens with my Vietnamese heritage. My parents were refugees from the Vietnam War, and that intergenerational trauma is something I’ve explored in many of my posts and my book Redefining Masculinity.

There are moments when I’m filled with gratitude, especially when I meet other immigrant families who have “made it.” We all share a common goal—to have better lives than our parents. My mom works as a nail technician, and I used to feel embarrassed by that when I was younger. But now, I feel immense respect and pride for her. She’s a healer at heart, and I’ve inherited some of that from her. I’ll never forget when, during one of my coaching programs, Nicole Bagnoli pointed out that I wipe away my tears the same way my mom does. That small observation connected me more deeply to her and reminded me of the strength and care passed down through generations.

As a country, we’re far from perfect. But you know what? I’m proud to be American. We’re the most diverse country in the world, and every day when I commute to NYC, I feel like I’m surrounded by the United Nations. I ask everyone reading this to do better—to listen more, to be curious, and to accept our fellow brothers and sisters. I’m far from perfect, but I’ve been fortunate enough to interact with thousands of people. Interviewing and learning from so many on my YouTube channel has been an honor. That experience has taught me not to judge, but instead to approach life with compassion and care for others.

Individuality is one of the best parts of being American. We celebrate creativity, and that’s why we have some of the most famous artists and singers in the world. But if we’re quick to judge, we risk losing our sense of who we are as a people.

I’d love to hear from you.

Have you ever had a breakthrough moment where you learned something new by getting to know someone different from yourself?

If this post inspired you, feel free to repost or share it with a friend. My hope is that we can inspire more vulnerability and deeper conversations. Sometimes, LinkedIn feels a bit fake, but I believe we can change that by sharing more of who we really are.