A Day of Loss & New Beginnings

September 11th, 2001, Is a day most people will never forget.

Lives lost.

Family members were taken from family members.

Friends, coworkers, monuments, gone… tragedy struck the nation.

On this very day, I was dealing with a complete set of additional trials.

This was the day my family moved from my grandparent's house to our first rental. This turned into five more rentals over the next couple of years and continued financial struggles.

This seems like the right time to start my newsletter series, as this was a very impactful day of my life.

My newsletter, called "Tales of a Knight - 10xUnicorn" by Daniel Knight. I'll write about my experiences and how they attributed to who I am today. The lessons they taught me and how they can help others. My goal is to inspire, encourage, and challenge people in one way or another. Sharing my experiences and lessons learned is one of those ways.

This was the day that my grandparents lost their house.

This was the day that it sunk in that my family was losing everything.

It was the day that it was clear my dad was going to jail, and there was a good chance he might get deported.

We lost everything this day, or so I thought.

Our cars.

Our house.

Our friends.

Our possessions...

But not each other.

The impact that September 11th, 2001, had on my life was quite different from most.

I don't actually know anyone who died from the tragic events that struck the country on this day. For that, I am incredibly grateful.

However, I knew many people who did, and my problems seemed unimportant.

This day always brings back so many emotions for me because there was so much loss around the world. So much heartache. It was one of the most tragic days in history around the world and in my life & my family's lives.

But, I am an optimist, and I know that these life events during that time made it so.

I wouldn't have it any other way now... being an optimist, that is.

We can choose to dwell, grieve, and have remorse for the challenges that we went through in our past. Or, we can choose to look at these days as new chapters.

We can choose to dwell, grieve, and have remorse for the challenges that we went through in our past. We can look at these days with sorrow.

Or, we can choose to look at these days as new chapters. New beginnings. And a start to a life worth living.

An opportunity to be grateful…

Grateful that we are still here.

Grateful for other people that are here who lost someone.

Grateful for all those who support people that lost someone.

Grateful to everyone who fought to save other people's lives.

Grateful that we didn't fall as a nation as was so expected to happen.

Grateful that we still have our freedom and liberty. And that we are still the United States of America.

It brought together people from all over the world who felt compassion for anyone who lost someone. And the challenges that we went through as a country.

I believe it did make us stronger.

And I'm grateful for the lessons we learned. Improvements we made to security to prevent something like this from happening again. At least, we do our best.

You can look at the heightened security at airports as something frustrating, or you can be grateful. Grateful that we've increased it to try to prevent things like this from happening again. Because I don't know about you, but I'd rather spend an extra hour at the airport knowing it's saving lives.

I will never forget this day. For so many reasons…

I was moving boxes, dressers, beds, etc. into the new house when I found out about what happened. I quickly learned that my day was only a fraction of how challenging this day was for the world.

I didn't lose anything.

I gained a new perspective.

A new perspective on the lives lost, those who fought, who served and endured and died trying to save others.

I learned how to be compassionate for others even when I faced a completely different set of challenges. Challenges that seemed like the end of the world.

But they were so minuscule in the grand scheme of things.

As challenging as this day is for so many people, remember that perspective is everything.

Try not to dwell on the challenges of the past but be grateful for the lessons that they taught us.

This is the day that so many people still struggle with, and with good reason.

So, be compassionate, kind, and understanding. We are all in this together.

I hope you take some time to reflect on the lessons you have learned from the challenges, obstacles, and triumphs you have endured. You are still here, and that alone is worth celebrating.

Never forget.

Never forget the ones we lost.

Never forget the strength we gained.

Never forget the lessons learned from the challenges endured.

#NeverForget

For all my friends, family, and anyone reading this who cares for others, thank you. I am so grateful for people like you that make this world a better place.

We are stronger together, so support one another.

- Daniel Knight aka #10xUnicorn

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If you found this interesting, please subscribe to my newsletter. I'll share exciting stories about my past with lessons in hopes of a better future for myself and others.

#Compassion #Support #StrongerTogether #LiveAndLearn