What happens is not as important as how you react to what happens.

...on my previous post.

I never went to see World Trade Center when it came out in theaters. I just didn’t feel that I could handle it emotionally. It is most likely that I would not have watched even YET, had my daughter not been so anxious to see it herself. I guess that just the subject matter of the movie had caused me to form my own opinion about it, before I’d even seen it. I was wrong.

Jesus once commented on how the state of one’s heart dramatically affects the individual’s perceptions. And I suppose the value of this movie would have much to do with what you take away from its viewing. I came away from this movie with a tear-soaked face, yes. but also with renewed faith in the decency of common people, the potential for greatness that lurks beneath the masks we all wear to protect ourselves from each other. I came away reminded that we are all a part of one another, and that when one hurts, we all hurt…when one conquers, we all conquer.

This movie carried no hidden or obvious political statements, nor was it in any way a ‘disaster’ movie about one of the greatest human tragedies of all time. It was a personal story about human courage and survival. As an event that left a raw place in the souls of so many, it is overwhelmingly evident that the makers of this film portrayed this story with great honor and respect.

Instead of forcing me to relive the pain of that day, to the contrary, it caused me to relive the changes I saw in mankind…on that day, and for many days following. I remembered the unspeakable heroism of ordinary people; I remembered how the crime rates dropped dramatically for several days following; I remembered how everywhere you went, almost regardless of where you lived in this country, strangers were suddenly friendly and courteous to one another…on the road, in the shopping malls, in the grocery store lines, on the job; I remembered how the suddenness and the terror of it all seemed to make everyone think of how vulnerable we all are, of how precious is life, and of what is really important and what isn’t.

If you haven’t seen this movie, you are hardly qualified to criticize something for which your only basis for judgment are your own pre-conceived ideas and emotions regarding the subject matter. If you refrain from seeing it because you fear the wounds that might be re-opened, I fully understand – DON’T see it, until your heart is ready. And I think that when you do see it, far from re-opening the wounds, you may find it feels much more like a healing balm rather than gritty sand in an open wound.

Or, maybe not. Everyone is different. Everyone relates to the world from their own unique angle. But in the words of this film’s tagline,  “The world saw evil that day. Two men saw something else.” So did I. And today, as on that fateful day in 2001, I feel a little different. I see the world through a kinder, gentler eye; my heart feels considerably more pliable; I see others more as brothers and sisters instead of as strangers; I find myself a bit more in touch with what is really important and what is not; I find myself feeling a lot better, about being a part of the human race. It was THESE things to which I referenced in my previous remark, "too soon, we forget." It is such things that should never be forgotten. It is such things that this movie brought back to me. And it seems to me, that is a 'good' thing, not a 'bad' thing.

On a world-wide scale, just as on a personal level, tragedy can take a soul in one of two directions: you can wallow in the darkness as its victim and let it overcome you with grief, resentment, unforgiveness and a critical spirit – or you can use it as stepping stone to a higher level of spiritual growth. It can make you worse, or it can make you better. I see no value in remaining a victim. The air is cleaner on the victory side of tragedy. And the victory is there, on the other side of ANY tragedy…for all who dare to seek it.

“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” - Romans 12:21