The definition of terror is “extreme fear”. When we think of fear by itself we usually envision something horrifying from our past that we’ve either experienced or have seen on television.
On September 11, 2001 I just dropped my cousin off at college when I heard about the first tower being hit in New York. When I got back home and turned on the television I saw the second plane come in. I can honestly say that up until that point in my life there wasn’t any level of fear that could surpass what I felt at that very moment. After the initial shock wore off I think everyone was anticipating that something else was about to happen that would be just as catastrophic.
The definition of ism is “a distinctive practice, system, or philosophy.” The first definition of ism is what catches my eye the most. A distinctive practice. So in the word terrorism it could be interpreted as a practice of extreme fear. Fear as we all know is more mental than anything else. Fear is used to intimidate, to bully others, and also to hold people back. Some of that fear is self imposed. Terrorism preys on the fears of us all. It’s the boogie man that’s in our closet, or the monster that’s under the bed.
Instead of living our lives we think about the “what ifs”. Yesterday multiple bombs exploded during the Boston Marathon. People lost lives and hundreds were injured from the blast. As the media swarmed in like vultures to get the best shots of the carnage I sat and thought about next year’s race in 2014. Who will show up and run the event after what happened this year? Will they have enough volunteers to staff the race?
Think about how many people refused to fly after 9/11. My girlfriend (at the time) was not one of them. She was on a plane to see me exactly one week after the Sept. 11th attacks and her response to my fear of her flying was, “What are we never going to fly again because of what happened”? Thousands of flights go out every day without a hitch; three unfortunate flights out of the thousands were the ones that got hi-jacked that day. When you’re afraid to do something as routine as flying then the “practice of extreme fear” has done its job.
We know that our time on Earth is not guaranteed. From the beginning we are on borrowed time. The world we live in is filled with violence, corruption, terrorism, poverty, and a million other things that are wrong. But our world is also filled with love, acts of kindness, giving, and a million other things that are right. It’s the Chinese concept of yin and yang. Two opposite forces that are interconnected, and surprisingly complimentary to each other.
Terror makes us see the people that died yesterday, the 8 year old girl, the photos of all the runners/staff members that were injured. But how about the brave people that ran towards where the bomb went off? Then you have all the other hundreds of men and women that arrived on the scene ready to help despite the potential danger of the situation.
Imagine if we never flew again after 9/11? In 2014 there will be another Boston Marathon and there will be thousands of people running in it, and thousands more giving out waters and making sure that it runs smoothly next year. We won’t allow the “practice of extreme fear” by others deter us from doing what makes the world a little better.
Living life in fear isn’t living life at all.
Whenever something like this happens, I go back to the quote from Fred Rogers (Mr.Rogers) mom…
“When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, “Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.”
If we don’t look at the positive in this world, we will spend our days depressed and cynical.
Your words are full of the spirit and love for life I so much admire you for. When I saw the report of that first plane flying into the tower, I had a sinking feeling then, that it was not an accident as was then being suggested, but an act of terrorism. That day brought overwhelming sadness – fear, yes, for someone I love works in the Pentagon, and some of my daughters were about to begin studying in London – but the sadness was all encompassing. Living in Europe – being Irish – terrorism in myriad forms became a horrible reality some long time ago. Give thoughts and prayers to those directly affected, always help when and where you can – and grab life by the throat. You are so right, my friend!
This is right on time, Cornell. You have the gift of compassion in words. I too remember where I was during 911, a Freshman in High School it is something I will never forget. Just to think about all those brave men and women, then and now, leaves me in a state of awe.