As I always say when I post this column: this one’s a little
different. A little more personal as I myself search for more
perspective to this game we call life.
The only thought I’m consistently reminded of is – life is precious.
And when it ends for what ever the reason chances are none of us will
have any control of the timing or circumstances. So live to your
potential everyday. Regardless of where you are in life. Because the
unexpected or the horrific can happen to any one of us. Not just someone
else as we so often think.
When the tragedy on September 11 happened it changed many of us. If
not all. Like most I remember exactly where I was. I also remember
vividly standing in line at my local bank moments after it happened.
Watching the televisions while waiting in line with others in sheer
disbelief. For all of us – time had stopped.
The days and months that followed with the heroism and outpouring of
help and support is well documented everywhere. Living in New England at
the time you either had gone to Ground Zero yourself to try and offer
any help – or someone you knew did.
I owned a local Deli in NH at the time. The owner of a company who
supplied me with breads went back and forth to Ground Zero as to pass
out muffins and pastries to the rescue teams nightly. Then would travel
back to New Hampshire to start his morning deliveries. No one
complained. No one said how hard it was to do. No one was looking for
credit. It was just done. Period.
On that day many of us changed. We viewed life a little bit
different. Suddenly it hit you with laser like focus that life is
precious, and death can come at any moment – from anywhere. No longer
was this an esoteric exercise. This was life at its core. Playing out in
front of our eyes leaving no gray area to ponder. You either got it. Or
you didn’t.
In honor of that tragic event I set new rules for myself. New
guidelines if you will for how I was going to move forward in life. I
decided that I would live life my way. By my rules. And if I were to die
today – so be it.
I was going to ensure with all my fortitude that I would pursue my
aspirations. Not a life of just trying to get by or exist like so many
do. While I’m here I’m not settling to merely survive – I’m here to
thrive. After all, as tough as life is shouldn’t that be the prize we’re
playing for?
September 11, 2001 changed my life forever. I say all this because
unlike most who’ve only read or heard about the people who lost their
lives on that tragic day. Peter was the younger brother of my close
friends growing up. Life’s mysteries don’t just happen to someone else.
They happen to all of us.
© 2012 Mark St.Cyr www.MarkStCyr.com
