I debated all week long whether or not to post something today. As just about everyone knows, it’s the tenth anniversary of the Taliban attacks on the U.S.. I hesitated to post anything because I figure me posting would be like everyone else I’ve seen who’s trying to advertise or push their site/product/etc… by being the most patriotic (or perhaps even the most anti-American).

So why then am I posting? Well, because I wanted to see how I’ve changed and not changed because of September 11, 2001. And I knew that I wouldn’t do that unless I had some “greater” motivation than simply personal interest. So that greater motivation came in the form of putting up another post (I know how shallow that sounds especially for such a day as today, but I’ve been planning to finish off my author biography and haven’t, so a different post is good).

Well then, how have I changed?:

• My love of America and the freedoms it represents has deepened. I love the United States of America and not just because I live there. I love agency and the right we have to choose between good and bad. I also understand that just because we have choice in our actions does not mean we can choose the consequences of our actions – and yet I’m okay with that.
• My awareness of the world has increased. Were it not for 9/11/01, I might never have realized how much I enjoy the news. If it weren’t for that, I’d likely have graduated from Kansas State University or New York University with a degree in english or creative writing. Instead I’m at Brigham Young University.
• I realized that I could ditch those things that have little meaning to me. Instead, I should focus on what does matter to me (such as family, religion, reading, writing, news, etc…).
• I realized that no matter what I ended up doing with my life, I should make sure that it helps other people or betters the world rather than simply providing me income. No, I don’t have to help others simply because it’s some sort of moral duty, but rather because it’s mutually beneficial or because I, not others, want me to.
• I’ve seen the advantages and the problems of trying to put oneself in another person’s shoes. Yes, compromise is often important, but sometimes compromise is a stupid and dangerous thing.
• I have gained an understanding of why “all things in moderation” is important. Sometimes we have to stand up for what’s right; sometimes we just need to realize that opinions are not the same thing as absolute truth (and as a note, I do believe there are absolute truths). We need to stand up for what we believe in, but we also need to hear other people out.