Acceptance

Monday, September 11th.... 2006

The only difference between today and this date five years ago is that today is a Monday and five years ago today it was a Tuesday... and time. It was my first semester as a returning student (undergrad.) and they actually closed the college that day. We always did say it would take a major act of God to close Buffalo State College.

Except that wasn't an act of God.

Now, five years later, I'm in my last semester of my graduate degree and I've been given more time on earth than some of those who died that day. In remembrance... those who died have been my inspiration. Spetember 11th will forever serve as to the fragility of human life and our place in the never ending wheel of time. Life flows and ebbs... nothing is permanent. Not even us. We must make the most of what we have- today. Life is what we choose it to be.

Acceptance is a part of making the most of today. Acceptance of what we have today and of others... all others. Acceptance for that which we had and for that which we lost... acceptance for that which we cannot change and even if we could, knowing all that we know now, would we? What trade or sacrifice would you be willing to make to return to five years ago today?

But we cannot, so we must accept today and go on. Acceptance of that which we do not understand and of those whom we share this planet with. The United States is the one place on earth where everyone in the world can find safe haven, or at least should find safety.

The New Colossus
Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,
With conquering limbs astride from land to land;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name
Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand
Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.
"Keep ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she
With silent lips. "Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"

~~Emma Lazarus

I find this poem appropriate for today and I hope that you do too. Today marks the end of one era and the beginning of another, an era of acceptance. Below are links to help you on your journey of acceptance.

http://www.islam101.com/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shahnameh

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0670034851?v=glance

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greater_Iran

http://www.islamfortoday.com/