John Dilbeck Musings

Here I am, again, working alone in my office in the middle of the night adding some new content to my newest website at AYearFromNow.com and I just noticed that today is September 11.

In that moment of realization, my mind’s focus switched immediately from 2004 to 2001.

I had to stop for a few minutes and think back to that morning three years ago when I was sitting right here working on a website and the hosts of the Today Show announced that an airplane had crashed into the World Trade Center.

I didn’t get any work done for the next several days as I sat glued to the TV watching the tragedy unfold. I didn’t feel like working. I didn’t want to miss any of the evolving news. We grieved for those who were lost and raged against those who were responsible.

It was a day that changed the focus of several nations and the actions we took as a result — for good or bad.

For months, and even now, we watched the stories of those who were affected and that affected us, too, although to a lesser degree.

Wherever you are, whatever you’re doing, stop a moment and reflect. Think of those who were lost. Think of those who worked so hard to help.

We came together for a few weeks and now we’re more divided than ever.

It’s a pity.

If we came together once as a response to a threat, why can’t we cooperate and work together because we are much more similar than we are different? Why do we need a common enemy before we can be friends?

Why do we like to be divided?

Why has it become a national sport to tear apart the reputation and try to assign the most cynical intentions to anyone who steps up and tries to be a leader in our country? Why is it not enough to vote for someone with whom you agree or vote against someone with whom you disagree? Why do we, instead, choose to revere one and demonize the other?

What do we gain?

As Dr. Phil would say, “How’s that working for ya?”