THURSDAY THOUGHTS - "...To Choose One's Attitude."..

I,probably like most of you this week, have been thinking about the awful attacks of 9/11 ten years ago. As I watched the TV specials which chronicled the horrific events of that day, I am so proud of how our country has moved forward. I visited my son, Ryan, who lives in Brooklyn and can see the Freedom Tower from his apartment window. We took a stroll right by it and also visited the temporary memorial that stands right across the street. There were memorials for heroism all around me. I certainly felt that I was standing on hallowed ground.

As I think of all the lessons of life to be learned from this experience, I am reminded of a wonderful quote by Victor Frankl,a survivor of the cruel Nazi regime. He states: "...everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of human freedoms - to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one's own way."

We Americans are continuing to move forward and not only those who were directly effected by the events of 9/11. I see ordinary people around me every day who exhibit extraordinary courage and optimism. Take for instance, a man I met at the bank who is well into his seventies and who is supporting three of his nephews by running a lawn mowing business. Or the woman two houses away from me who is staring death in the face each and every day as she takes care of her husband who is in the final stages of M.S. I see women facing cancer with courage and determination as they complete radiation treatments, Chemo Therapy and breast reconstruction surgeries. I also see people struggling with their children and the poor choices they make; with husbands who are less than supportive and a variety of other health issues....and most of them seem to do it with a smile. Kudos to all of you and the many others that I don't even know. I continue to learn great lessons from each and every one of you. So carry on! Many of you are having positive influence on others that you aren't even aware of as you choose to continue with a positive mental attitude no matter WHAT your circumstances are.

Kathy Christensen
Survivor
Member of Lifting Hearts Support Group