A DAY OF RECKONING
by Nona Passalacqua, CCHT

We had been asleep for far too long. Our world was rapidly changing and going faster day by day. Our concerns were the economy, the environment, getting by or getting ahead and trying to save what we could along the way. Although we all did not agree on even what to save. We didn't expect hate. We had heard words directed at us before, but who had time to pay attention? We were America in 2001. We were busy. It isn't that we didn't have compassion for others in the world. It isn't that we were stupid and shortsighted. It's just that we didn't have time.

Years ago we looked forward to this moment in and thought it would all be different. We would be on our way to Jupiter with Hal manning the ship. We would at least be working shortened hours and having much more creative leisure time. But the only manned things leaving the atmosphere of the earth were not going nearly as far as Jupiter and the workweek had expanded for many to between 50 to 70 hours. We should at least all be rich with all that effort expended. But no, we were on the edge of an economic recession yet once again. The middle class was in trouble. The minimum wage still wasn't a living wage. What went wrong?

We shed our woes in front of the television. We became isolated creatures dedicated to vicarious victory, from sports to political gossip to "Survivor".

Were we lost? I think so. And there were those who would capitalize on our condition. "They" weren't lost. "They" had an agenda. Hate for the West, for our sometimes-arrogant attitudes and lifestyles, for our ability to "have" instead of "have not". And what motivated "them" and directed their days, kept "them" awake and gave "them" a reason to live. My guess is power. Yes, I'm sure there was an ideology that motivated the terrorism of September 11, 2001, but I think that on the deepest level of all, those "in charge", inspiring and directing "the soldiers, the suicide pilots" were motivated by that ancient of human desires: power.

And so it goes again, another war is upon us. Except this time we don't really know who or where to fight. What a way to awaken from our trance. What a way to have to re-look and re-value our lives. We don't have to live vicariously anymore. We can all feel the fear and the struggle for survival. The war is not "over there" this time, it's on our own ground, in our backyards, at least in our public gathering places. And yet what is the fruit of the horrible images that were imbedded in the public psyche the day of the attack on the world towers and the pentagon? As we collectively shared that day we saw and felt so much more than hate. We witnessed so much heroism and love. We were in shock. We were afraid. We were angry. We grieved and cried. And we tried to reach out. We called each other. We talked long hours. We gave blood. We sent money. We prayed. We were watchers once again, most of us, but not just watchers. And we weren't separate anymore.

What emerged from that day was more than the hunger for unity, the hunger for justice. It was the hunger for life. It is not good enough anymore to keep going faster. It is not good enough to have no time. It is not enough to be asleep in our lives.

Whatever we do from here, no matter how much we try to "return to normal", I don't think we will make it. And the "normal" we had clearly wasn't enough if it caused us to be so unaware of our world that we could be so brutally attacked by surprise. I hope the sense of unity lasts. I hope the sense of belonging causes us all to be a little kinder, to care and give a little more. I hope we come to understand our world a little better, to see how this "day of reckoning" could befall us. I hope we come to value people more and things less. I hope we can learn to agree upon what we need to "save". I hope what we save turns out to be us, the people, and our home, the earth. I know that with all our skills, and all our courage, and all our willingness to work long, long hours, we can succeed.

Features
A Survivor's Story: 09-11-01 World Trade Center
Written by David Frank

things as they are
Written by Chloe Mata

Some Thoughts about September 11
Written by Lynn of Idaho, U.S.A.

Ripples in the Pond...
Written byDonna, Austin, Texas

"So September 10th"
Written by Pat of Austin, Texas

A Day of Reckoning
Written by Nona Passalacqua, CCHT

Why I will not get out of bed....
Written by A.F. Firebird

A Poem on 9-11-01
Written by Damian Nash

Attack on America: A Poem
Written by Marilee S. Niehoff, Ph.D.

Parenting and Relationship
Helping a Child Manage Fears After a Traumatic Event
Written by Sidran Foundation

Spirit-to-Spirit
Today's Idea
Written by Marianne Williamson

Commentary for Sentient Beings
Written by Michael Benner, C.H.T.

A Letter from Deena Metzger

What Will Rule Our Hearts?

Health Share
"Fight, Flight, or Freeze" Reactions, Ongoing Stress and Health
Written by Darling Villena-Mata, Ph.D.

Emotional First Aid

Caring for Your Heart
Written by Institute of HeartMath

Vibrational Harmony: The Key to Healing and Creating Order Out of Chaos
Written by Beverly Nadler, C.H.T.

How Hypnotherapy Can Help
Written by Nona Passalacqua, C.C.H.T.

Meridian Therapies
Mind and Body Healing for the New Millenium
Written by The Association For Meridian Therapies

Tapas Acupressure Technique (TAT)
Written by Lakshmi Collins

For the Record
The Statue of Liberty
Written by Emma Lazarus

Definition of Freedom

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