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October 2006 
I Couldn't Look Away...
Posted on Sep 12th, 2006
by 
Shawn
Shawn
This day is coming to a close...it's nearly midnight on September 11th and the thought flickers through my mind, “does that mean we can all be happy again?”
Yes, as you know it’s the anniversary of the day that “changed everything.” I’ve done a good job paying attention and respect but not being drawn in to excess. I took in a few of the early morning reminders and talked about that morning with Angie while all the while seeking to limit our son’s (who was not yet born or even conceived that day) exposure to the trauma.
I didn’t let the day pass lightly nor have I been carried away as I tend to dismiss some of the energy as antics of the media, who are so unfortunately required to amplify “reality” and yank any emotional string we might dare make available. There seems to be no line they can not justifiably cross.
All was well, I was journaling and closing my day when I stumbled upon a TLC show, a behind the scenes retrospective on that fateful day. Okay, put a fork in me… I was done.
Watching this I didn’t feel like a voyeur – it was informative and captivating. The tension was real, not generated. I learned a lot about 9-11 from this show – about the happenings behind the scenes, about the people who were watching this happen, the F-15 pilots who were minutes late and still would not have been allowed to shoot the airliners down, about the descent which pushed the limits of the airliner itself… about the air traffic controllers… it was intense and personal.
The shock and awe (seems like an accurate description) of that day all comes rushing back as I watched the day unravel again culminating in the collapse of the towers; first the south then the north tower. It was truly sickening. Even now, five years later, it’s beyond my comprehension. I literally sat, mouth wide open and knew that I still can see it and not fully receive it as real.
This does not change my views on the desperate media and the service they can do along with the unfortunate disservice they often must do… but it did fully change my feelings, my views on how we should or may recognize this day / event. Seeing it reminded me that we should all be reminded of it – we should see it, expose ourselves. Not to arise anger and join the army (unless that it what you want to do and then, hell yes. Do it). But rather to be reminded of what is possible for man to do to man. To see it, to feel it is to awaken the potential for real, powerful action in each of us. Let us take this focused attack and harness the infinite power it has ignited in us and redirect it in the service of our lives, of all that is good…
Energy is energy… witnessing others suffering, feeling your own reaction to it can be source of great energy. How you channel it makes all the difference.
Yes, as you know it’s the anniversary of the day that “changed everything.” I’ve done a good job paying attention and respect but not being drawn in to excess. I took in a few of the early morning reminders and talked about that morning with Angie while all the while seeking to limit our son’s (who was not yet born or even conceived that day) exposure to the trauma.
I didn’t let the day pass lightly nor have I been carried away as I tend to dismiss some of the energy as antics of the media, who are so unfortunately required to amplify “reality” and yank any emotional string we might dare make available. There seems to be no line they can not justifiably cross.
All was well, I was journaling and closing my day when I stumbled upon a TLC show, a behind the scenes retrospective on that fateful day. Okay, put a fork in me… I was done.
Watching this I didn’t feel like a voyeur – it was informative and captivating. The tension was real, not generated. I learned a lot about 9-11 from this show – about the happenings behind the scenes, about the people who were watching this happen, the F-15 pilots who were minutes late and still would not have been allowed to shoot the airliners down, about the descent which pushed the limits of the airliner itself… about the air traffic controllers… it was intense and personal.
The shock and awe (seems like an accurate description) of that day all comes rushing back as I watched the day unravel again culminating in the collapse of the towers; first the south then the north tower. It was truly sickening. Even now, five years later, it’s beyond my comprehension. I literally sat, mouth wide open and knew that I still can see it and not fully receive it as real.
This does not change my views on the desperate media and the service they can do along with the unfortunate disservice they often must do… but it did fully change my feelings, my views on how we should or may recognize this day / event. Seeing it reminded me that we should all be reminded of it – we should see it, expose ourselves. Not to arise anger and join the army (unless that it what you want to do and then, hell yes. Do it). But rather to be reminded of what is possible for man to do to man. To see it, to feel it is to awaken the potential for real, powerful action in each of us. Let us take this focused attack and harness the infinite power it has ignited in us and redirect it in the service of our lives, of all that is good…
Energy is energy… witnessing others suffering, feeling your own reaction to it can be source of great energy. How you channel it makes all the difference.
Access: Public
