Like most significant events in your life, the events of September 11, 2001 will probably create a new space in your life. The space that’s created, and how you fill that space will not only affect your own life, but also those around you and perhaps the entire world.
By “space,” I mean a question is raised in your mind. The question could be any number of things, such as “what does all this mean to me?” Or “what should I do now?” Some of you may ask questions like “why wasn’t I directly affected by this?” Or “why are so many others suffering and I’m not?”
The power is in the question you ask. American writer James Arthur Baldwin wrote: “The questions which one asks oneself begin, at least, to illuminate the world, and become one’s key to the experience of others.”
Whatever question you ask, you’ll inevitably create an answer that’ll likely shape how you view yourself and the world from this point on.
Look at the question(s) you’re asking – the space you’re creating – right now. It may even help to write the questions on paper. Are the questions arising from the part of you that’s fearful, angry, guilty or vengeful? Or are they arising from the part of you that’s loving, peaceful and wise?
The part of you the question arises from is what will – in the words of Mr. Baldwin – “begin, at least to illuminate the world.” If it arises from fear, your life and the world will begin to be shaped by fear. If it comes from love and wisdom, that’s what will begin to shape your life and your world.
The choice is yours. What space are you creating, and how will you fill it? Take it a step further. What if everyone in the world responded to the events in the same manner you choose to respond. What kind of world would that create? Is that a world you want to live in?
It’s Your Life! Make it great.
Michael D. Pollock is a Personal Coach. He works with small
business owners to help them build their business without
selling themselves or “selling out” on themselves. Visit
his website. http://www.michaeldpollock.com/
