Heather Moran: September 2012

September 11, 2012

September 11, 2001... a day that I will forever remember where I was when the worst happened. You too? I can imagine. As if to improve my memory of those events, my mind seemed to take extra pictures eleven years ago on this day. A day much like today in fact ~~~ a Tuesday with clear bright sunny skies. Without conscious thought or effort, my brain knew what was happening was important information and I stored it in such detail that I will always remember the events. After those horrible moments that were further imprinted by television and the internet, I knew that our lives as Americans would never be the same.

Since that ill-fated day eleven years ago, many of us have suffered personal losses. Loved ones have passed away, relationships have failed, or our health declined. Many have lost jobs that add to despair and make us long for times before the financial strain that affects our great country. Despite having vivid memories of the fierce adversity we face in life, I believe we can learn from challenges and attain new heights.

Like a monument to our resilience, the Freedom Tower continues to grow in view of one of history’s most devastating events. As I boarded the Queen Mary 2 last month and sailed beyond the water's edge of NYC, the gleeming Freedom Tower (now called 1 WTC) was a vision of what has risen from devastation. May we, too, rise above setbacks as a tribute to those who have fallen and may we exercise our strength and persistence in the face of whatever we encounter in life.

God Bless America and
God Bless You,

September 3, 2012

After an incredible Transatlantic cruise from New York City to England with my mom a few weeks ago, she paid me a compliment that got me thinking. She said, "Heather, it's great that you don't sweat the small stuff in life." Since retiring as a Doctor of Infectious Diseases, my mom has continued a life of contribution that almost demands sweating the small stuff for others. She admires a trait in me that comes naturally for some but eludes so many other blessed people in this life. I find that worrying does little to change the outcome of my concerns. In fact, worrying about every little thing only seems to exhaust my willpower and reduces my capacity to resolve the real challenges I face in my life. An example I have from the luxurious cruise came after being blocked from using my iPhone. I discovered very expensive data charges that were unfairly added to my bill despite acquiring a plan to cover cruise related costs. Some might not understand how I could get past an unsatisfactory resolution to restore my phone service after returning to the states. In the grand scheme of things, the phone charges have little influence over me unless I decide to worry about something over which I have only partial control. Instead, I decided to concentrate on the beautiful experience my mother was providing to me with her generosity and didn't sweat the worry of dealing with AT&T until I arrived back in the states. (My father, too, was so very generous to assist me in paying the hefty bill.)

I find that SO much of our lives COULD BE spent sweating all the things "going wrong." And yet, isn't it so much better to look up and see the sun shining or birds singing; such little things that we often take for granted. We can choose to smile and be happy on the journey even when we encounter bumps in the road. I like to remember the wise saying The Journey is the Reward. My wish to you all is that you may have peace and joy that comes from appreciating the small things rather than worrying about all the wrong things in life.