The events of September 11 are still with us as if it were yesterday. Visions of towers, planes, fire- are all embedded in our memories. How do we then find the strength to move past such an event, to go back to the lives that we knew prior to this destruction?

As Thanksgiving is upon us, maybe it is time to look at what truly matters to us, not from just our individual perspectives but as citizens of America and as inhabitants of this planet. What responsibilities do we have in these roles? How can we, as one person, impact our world?

Some of us have gone back to a way of life that has become less than comfortable, looking for what was familiar. In our quests to find that feeling of normalcy, I fear we may, in fact, not consider the amazing aspects of September 11.

Initially, I, along with the rest of the world, observed with horror and fear the events as they were replayed for us everywhere we looked. But as the initial shock began to wear off, what I saw not only astounded me but actually brought me to a place of joy. The interactions happening between people changed dramatically. Everywhere I went I found a softer, kinder side of people, whether at the grocery store, with clients or encounters on the telephone. It was as if somehow people began to realize just how much we have to be thankful for. The inhabitants of New York, often thought of as heartless, came out in droves to lend support in any way they could. The politicians seemed to remove their political masks and become Americans, without notice of their political parties or views. The differences between us that seemed so important before went by the wayside and we became people, just people, uniting to help one another through this horrific time.

So often, as we go through our daily lives, we so easily forget how incredibly fortunate we are.  We continue to look outside of ourselves to find the happiness we so desire. Not unlike Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz, we do not realize what we have until we find ourselves so close to losing what we love.

I feel that this is the time to begin anew. To take time each and every day to appreciate those people and things that we hold near and dear. Slow down, look around you, observe the beauty right here, right now and feel a sense of gratitude that right now, at this moment, you are having this experience.

There is so much in each of our lives to be thankful; for. So, as we come together to celebrate Thanksgiving, let us do so with a true feeling of thanks, and then individually we will certainly initiate a change in this world.