What's Right in Your World Right Now

On September 11, 2001, I was in the emergency room with my three-year-old son. I was eight months pregnant, scared and terrified. My child was very sick and it was the day the world stopped.

I vividly remember sitting in the waiting room and watching the television coverage of the 9-11 terrorist attacks. My husband was with our son while he was getting an X-ray. I was alone until a woman walked in the room and said, “I don’t understand how you can be bringing a child into this world.” I looked at her and then looked at the television saying, “That’s why.”

On the television were members of Congress singing “God Bless America.” It is a moment etched in my memory and one I continue to recall. My daughter is now 18 and my son is 22. Both are seniors and graduating in May, from high school and college respectively. Life for them today is much like it was for us on 9-11 … full of unanswered questions, fear, and sadness. They will not be able to celebrate the milestones of commencements, proms and final days on campus with friends. It is something worth mourning, but as I’ve said to my children,

“It’s okay to be sad but don’t sit with the sadness for long.”

We did not do it on 9-11 and during the pandemic of 2020, we will not do it here either. For, in the midst of unanswered questions, fear and sadness; there is unity, courage and joy. As a nation, we are working together. It’s not perfect and it certainly isn’t always pretty, but good things are happening in our nation’s capital, our states, towns, neighborhoods and homes.

In one of my favorite TED talks, National Geographic photographer, Dewitt Jones, shares,

“Celebrate what’s right in the world, rather than wallowing in what isn’t.”

Wallowing would be pretty easy, for there is a lot which doesn’t feel right and in many ways isn’t. There is so much out of our control and wallowing by nature is about feeling helpless. This feeling of helplessness can be overwhelming if we only focus on what’s wrong.

It is said that our vision controls our perception and our perception becomes our reality. Over 18 years ago, I believed there was more right in the world and I believe it still today. It’s a belief I continue to share with my children. So, yes, it’s okay to be sad but don’t sit with the sadness too long. Instead, let’s celebrate what’s right and be a part of making things better.

What's right in your world right now? Celebrate it, share it and by all means sit with it. #whatisright #inspiration