Blog# 37 Balancing Act

Hi Everyone,

I hope you all are enjoying a wonderful 9/11 anniversary weekend. Most of us have watched those towers go down on TV at least 73 times now and understand the tragedy of it all. We understand the horror and misery that must have been truly awful on that day. One thing that seems to missing in all of this tragedy and grief is the tremendous outpouring of heroism during, and following this event.

Our lives are based on being able to keep ourselves somewhat in harmony with our environment as we carry out our day to day activities. If we overeat or overexercise we wind up sore and unable to do our normal routines. Likewise, if we obsess over a loved one, a job, or any event it will likewise keep us from doing our best at the daily grind. I hope this weekend, on the tenth anniversary of 9/11, we can reflect back in a balanced constructive way.

Is it possible that this was a problem that needed our attention and this was our wake up call to perhaps eventually protect millions of more Americans in the future? Was this an event that will keep us ever more watchful in spite of our tendencies to quickly forget? I say yes to both. I am truly honored to have lived on Pappy’s Planet during the day when the passengers of Fight 93 all pulled together and saved our country’s capital and maybe our souls. It was a small counter attack that started the very day, nay the very hours, in which the attacks occurred.

The men and women that were on that plane whether they took an active role or not certainly did their part. It reminds me of the writing of the Star Bangled Banner in which the author, Francis Scott Key watched the bombing of the American Fort for hours and hours only to awaken to the flag still flying high the next morning. There were brave men lost during the night who kept the flag in place regardless of how many direct hits were made. (Sigh) (Lyrics below.)

What kind of people are we? Obviously,we are a people who treasure above all things our Freedom. Fortunately, we have brave men who stand watch over us night and day and our Maker stands watch over them. Our balance, and our peace of mind comes from these two very important points. Without security, what nation can stand? With security we find our balance, and like any prize fighter, we can deliver quite a blow when we are well grounded.

This is such a serious subject yet I smile to myself in quiet gratitude over these facts and wonder how many can do the same? I know many of us here in the USA may walk on pins and needles after such a dramatic event. I, myself, have increased awareness after such a date as this, however, win or lose, live or die, we will stand. We will always find our balance and each one of us will come back even stronger than before.

Am I proud to be an American? You bet! Am I proud to have served this country? Yes Sir! Am I proud of all those guys in uniform today? More than I can say. The country did me a favor when I enlisted at the end of the Vietnam War. They trained me physically, mentally, and showed me how to think and study. They also filled me full of respect for other good men and women who have done the same. I was lucky.

Grammy, my wife walks each day for exercise in our neighborhood. A week or so ago a group of young men surprised her from behind and hit her with a water balloon and frightened her. She is afraid to walk by herself now because it scared her. On 9/11 we also got hit by a water balloon and are still a bit scared to completely relax and go about our routines. Until we feel secure, and confident again of our government’s readiness and willingness to act, I guess we will stay that way.

Remember, our courage will return when we have outspoken leaders that give us the courage to hold our heads up. Courage, and yes, power comes to us when a political leader does what is right versus for self interest. Remember how you felt after one of those Ronald Reagan speeches? We will feel proud that way again. Our futures are guaranteed by Devine Providence, and therefore our attitudes about our futures.

So, don’t fret too much America, we are still the brightest beacon of hope, the last best bastian of free enterprise and the pioneering spirit. On this 9/11 weekend that can be viewed as a bummer, or a downer if you let it be, remember there is no greater nation on the earth in which to live, and no better place to practice your freedom. Tomorrow, I go to church to exercise my freedom openly to worship God and to find my balance. I hope you will too.                                     Pappy  (Lyrics to Star Spangled Banner below.)

The Star Spangled Banner Lyrics By Francis Scott Key 1814

Oh, say can you see by the dawn’s early light What so proudly we hailed at the twilight’s last gleaming? Whose broad stripes and bright stars thru the perilous fight, O’er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming? And the rocket’s red glare, the bombs bursting in air, Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there. Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave? On the shore, dimly seen through the mists of the deep, Where the foe’s haughty host in dread silence reposes, What is that which the breeze, o’er the towering steep, As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses? Now it catches the gleam of the morning’s first beam, In full glory reflected now shines in the stream: ‘Tis the star-spangled banner! Oh long may it wave O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave! And where is that band who so vauntingly swore That the havoc of war and the battle’s confusion, A home and a country should leave us no more! Their blood has washed out their foul footsteps’ pollution. No refuge could save the hireling and slave From the terror of flight, or the gloom of the grave: And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave! Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand Between their loved home and the war’s desolation! Blest with victory and peace, may the heav’n rescued land Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation. Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just, And this be our motto: “In God is our trust.” And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave!