Diving Deeper on the Anniversary of 9/11

I worked in the radio biz for years. These days, I mostly provide information for visitors to Nevada and new Silver State residents. To me, it's nothing but fun. There's no money it. Not yet anyway. I do it because I want to. I did what others wanted me to most of the rest of my life.

But there is a time to be serious. Thoughtful. Reflective. I know many of us feel that way - now more than ever. With all that's going on these days, it almost can't be helped.

We were a tad more innocent on September 11, 2001, when suddenly, America came under direct attack - in ways it never had before. Some weren’t born yet or are too young to have any meaningful memory of it, but I remember it like it was yesterday. I was on the air, hosting a music radio show – broadcasting around the country and the world via Armed Forces radio. Suddenly, my audience and I went from enjoying tunes together to wondering if our world was about to change forever. Little did we know!

Over a decade later, I had the opportunity to interview the very last survivor to be rescued from the demolished World Trade Center. Genelle Guzman-McMillan, who wrote "Angel in the Rubble", a personal story of 27 hours spent trapped in a WTC building that collapsed with her inside of it.

Buried under tons of concrete, Genelle prayed for a sign from God that He was there and would give her a second chance to live her life more in line with His will for her. Suddenly, she was grabbed by the hand - in pitch darkness. A man who called himself Paul spoke to her and assured her she would be OK. Nobody but Genelle saw Paul - not then, not before that day or since. Draw your own conclusions. You can hear my chat with Genelle at jeffyoung.com. 

We live in perilous times. It gets crazier every day. There is a lot to think about and a lot to decide. What do we focus on?

I don’t pretend to understand it all, but I have seen and felt evidence of something much bigger than us. So did Genelle in that collapsed tower.

Work and recreational activities are important. So is time for personal reflection. Some of us are so busy with our daily lives that we forget to pause and reflect occasionally. To try to figure out what's really going on in the political arena - despite what people would have us believe – and how our connection with a higher power - or lack of it - might affect us day-to-day.

Don't be afraid to discuss these things with friends or loved ones if you get the chance. Not to argue for arguments sake. Of course, some strong discussion is natural as we attempt to reach conclusions - if only tentatively - but try to avoid breaking up families or relationships over it! Not worth it. Life is too precious and much too short to simply discard friends or loved ones we don't see eye-to-eye with. Consider this: It's OK to change our minds! Some of the wisest, most successful people who ever lived allowed their thinking to evolve, happily admitted it, and discussed the benefits of doing so.

If you, together with your friends or family members, can’t come to a meeting of the minds immediately, it's OK! There is no shame in saying something like “Maybe I’m wrong, but this is how I feel now. I may see it differently later. Let me think about it and get back to you.” Then, take a break! You can use your time staring at a slot machine screen to ponder deep thoughts if you feel like it. See if you can work it all out in your own mind. There are some things we may never fully understand. Or maybe we will someday, who knows? Just don't let jumping to conclusions be your only form of exercise.

Thanks for reading.

Send comments to jeff@NevadaPlayersClub.com.