Remembering 2001-09-11
It was a typical morning. I was up early enough for my second year of community college classes. I didn't have a car at the time so my friend John D. was picking me up to take me to classes. We didn't hear anything about what was going on from the radio station we were tuned into since they were still playing music. I found out only after I arrived at the college campus. In the student union, people were gathered around the game room's TV watching the events unfold. I think the second plane had already hit by this time. Classes were still being held throughout the day so I went to them. At one point, I came back and witnessed the second tower falling. The last class of the day was awkwardly somber and silent save for the teacher's math lesson...
Much has happened in the 10 years since then...
...The Afghanistan and Iraq conflicts...
...Patriotic ribbons...
...Patriotic chain e-mail...
...Moving to Springfield, MO for several years...
...Finally indulging in my sense of adventure and exploration and traveling...
...Meeting so many people...
...Hurricane Katrina...
...An ill-fated relationship (in the middle of the decade)...
...The rise of Google and YouTube and the modern Internet memetic mutation...
...Going through several jobs as an IT person...
...Moving from Springfield to Saint Louis back to Kansas City...
...The ongoing economic downturn since 2008...
...Electing the first not-all-Caucasian president...
...Meeting someone very meaningful to me in the last few months...
...Observing the various revolutions of Africa and the Middle East/West Asia...
...Finally visiting family in one of my ancestral homelands I haven't seen in 20 to 25 years...
...Becoming more concerned of those who twist and mix philosophical-ideological-political stuff into one big mess...
...Becoming more aware of those whose faiths aren't necessarily part of the "Big 3" monotheistic ones...
...Attempting to respect (majority) faith while simultaneously valuing logic and rational/common sense thought. (It's hard, trust me...)...
...And so much more...
I have no idea what the next 10 years will bring. However, like the last 10, it will probably be just as uncertain. It will be interesting to see what I have to say about myself and the world-at-large come September 11, 2021...
For the philosophical ramblings, read on...
Attempting to understand the motivations of those involved with the event and the world's reaction since then has made me ponder to this day...
As I made my way through the first 12 years of legal adulthood, I tried to become more aware of the mentality of humanity. This includes those directly around me and abroad. Unfortunately, my biggest observation of humanity abroad is mostly based upon those projected by social and mass media. Thankfully, with modern communication (e.g. the Internet), there are more opportunities to find out about the more "real" people in between all the loud "stereotypical" voices.
An ongoing mission of mine is trying to look into the literal and proverbial mirror every so often in an attempt to measure my positive and negative impact upon myself and others. I'm not asking myself or you to please everyone. That is nearly impossible. However, if one realizes they're causing more pain to themselves and those around themselves, perhaps it's time to reevaluate one's life--without having to resort to jumping off a cliff. I'm from the school of thought that, to a point, you need to be able to help yourself before helping others. I'm not talking about becoming rich and forming a huge charity fund and such. I'm talking basic stuff like...surviving and keeping a mostly clear head. This also includes not being too prideful to get help from others to help yourself.
I hear people saying, "You shouldn't have to worry about what other's think of you. F**k 'em." True, while other people's opinions shouldn't necessarily define your character, be careful. If you reach a point where you're saying, "F**k 'em. I'm in it for me and only me and that's what matters," regardless of the consequences, then that can also lead to some dark places.
Do I tend to cater to a certain sect of friends and acquaintances? Yes. However, I also try to struggle to understand the motivations of those who conflict with my philosophy. If I just wave my hand and say, "Oh, they're just 'them'," and not attempt to understand the "Why?"...
...as if they aren't worth understanding why...
...as if they aren't people like you and me...
...then I fear we will never be able to truly move forward.
Many of us want to take the easy way and explain people as "Us vs. Them" or "Me vs. You". But after a point, one has to realize, it's not that easy and one can't always be naive enough to think so. I tend to better understand a person who is...
Mean for the sake of being mean
"I love being in control, the suffering of others, vengeance, etc."
VS.
One who believes it's some sort of divine right to do so
"They only look like they're suffering, but it's for the greater good! See?"
This entry was originally posted at http://strife-caecus.dreamwidth.org/1115.html. If you wish to comment at Dreamwidth, please comment there using OpenID or your registered Dreamwidth account.
Much has happened in the 10 years since then...
...The Afghanistan and Iraq conflicts...
...Patriotic ribbons...
...Patriotic chain e-mail...
...Moving to Springfield, MO for several years...
...Finally indulging in my sense of adventure and exploration and traveling...
...Meeting so many people...
...Hurricane Katrina...
...An ill-fated relationship (in the middle of the decade)...
...The rise of Google and YouTube and the modern Internet memetic mutation...
...Going through several jobs as an IT person...
...Moving from Springfield to Saint Louis back to Kansas City...
...The ongoing economic downturn since 2008...
...Electing the first not-all-Caucasian president...
...Meeting someone very meaningful to me in the last few months...
...Observing the various revolutions of Africa and the Middle East/West Asia...
...Finally visiting family in one of my ancestral homelands I haven't seen in 20 to 25 years...
...Becoming more concerned of those who twist and mix philosophical-ideological-political stuff into one big mess...
...Becoming more aware of those whose faiths aren't necessarily part of the "Big 3" monotheistic ones...
...Attempting to respect (majority) faith while simultaneously valuing logic and rational/common sense thought. (It's hard, trust me...)...
...And so much more...
I have no idea what the next 10 years will bring. However, like the last 10, it will probably be just as uncertain. It will be interesting to see what I have to say about myself and the world-at-large come September 11, 2021...
For the philosophical ramblings, read on...
Attempting to understand the motivations of those involved with the event and the world's reaction since then has made me ponder to this day...
As I made my way through the first 12 years of legal adulthood, I tried to become more aware of the mentality of humanity. This includes those directly around me and abroad. Unfortunately, my biggest observation of humanity abroad is mostly based upon those projected by social and mass media. Thankfully, with modern communication (e.g. the Internet), there are more opportunities to find out about the more "real" people in between all the loud "stereotypical" voices.
An ongoing mission of mine is trying to look into the literal and proverbial mirror every so often in an attempt to measure my positive and negative impact upon myself and others. I'm not asking myself or you to please everyone. That is nearly impossible. However, if one realizes they're causing more pain to themselves and those around themselves, perhaps it's time to reevaluate one's life--without having to resort to jumping off a cliff. I'm from the school of thought that, to a point, you need to be able to help yourself before helping others. I'm not talking about becoming rich and forming a huge charity fund and such. I'm talking basic stuff like...surviving and keeping a mostly clear head. This also includes not being too prideful to get help from others to help yourself.
I hear people saying, "You shouldn't have to worry about what other's think of you. F**k 'em." True, while other people's opinions shouldn't necessarily define your character, be careful. If you reach a point where you're saying, "F**k 'em. I'm in it for me and only me and that's what matters," regardless of the consequences, then that can also lead to some dark places.
Do I tend to cater to a certain sect of friends and acquaintances? Yes. However, I also try to struggle to understand the motivations of those who conflict with my philosophy. If I just wave my hand and say, "Oh, they're just 'them'," and not attempt to understand the "Why?"...
...as if they aren't worth understanding why...
...as if they aren't people like you and me...
...then I fear we will never be able to truly move forward.
Many of us want to take the easy way and explain people as "Us vs. Them" or "Me vs. You". But after a point, one has to realize, it's not that easy and one can't always be naive enough to think so. I tend to better understand a person who is...
Mean for the sake of being mean
"I love being in control, the suffering of others, vengeance, etc."
VS.
One who believes it's some sort of divine right to do so
"They only look like they're suffering, but it's for the greater good! See?"
This entry was originally posted at http://strife-caecus.dreamwidth.org/1115.html. If you wish to comment at Dreamwidth, please comment there using OpenID or your registered Dreamwidth account.