Last year, inspired by the incredible tale of the 9/11 Boatlift, I wrote a reflection about how all of us have heroism within us. I have chosen to post that reflection again, now with the tribute video which inspired it at the bottom. As the world continues to grow ever more despairing, I believe it is more important than ever that we remember how to hope; remember how to be everyday heroes. On this solemn day, please take a moment to read, to watch the unbelievable tale that so inspired

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Some time ago, I came across a picture that really stuck with me; a picture that speaks to all people broken, hurt, depressed, and at the end of their strength. I'd tell you about it, but it's better to let it speak for itself.

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No country is without flaw. Countries, after all, are made of people, and there is not one of us walking the earth today who is perfect. No matter how well-crafted the government, how strong the moral underpinnings of the nation, how noble the intentions of the people, the country will be flawed. To change a country for the better is a slow and painful process, one often taking centuries of reform and healing, and in the time it takes to undo an evil a great many injustices will be committed.

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Ours is a world of consequences. Whether we are aware of it or not, there is no action, thought, or word which passes without consequence, for good or for ill. It is the nature of things. In order to respond to these consequences and change a course that has been set in motion, answering actions must be taken, with their own corresponding consequences. When a great many evils are done, the number of possible responses which may change the course of that evil dwindle.

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The hardest battle a soldier fights is often the one he faces at home.

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This blog is somewhat more ranty than I usually post, but I promise that there's some positive life advice in the midst of my social critique, and the message is ultimately about finding self-assurance, so there we go.

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Truth surrounds us constantly. We can hear it as easily from the unlettered man in poverty as from the educated man of academia (in fact, sometimes I feel like you're more likely to find truth in the simple than in the learned). The trick is to listen for truth at all times and to treasure it deeply when it is found.

Today's truth was shared with me by a man who is not a writer and has never displayed to me any desire to be a storyteller in any respect:

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The simplest and smallest of kindnesses can have profound effects. It's a point that I often make in my writing because I think that it's one of the most important points to make. When I look around and see so many people finding only the darkness in the world, I can't help but want to show them how beautiful the world is, and how the littlest thing can turn a bad day around.

As usual, I pull from my own experiences.

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I was so blown away by how well-received My Neighbor was and so touched by people's reactions that I wanted to write this is a way to say thank you. I hope it's coherent; I'm tired and doing this more or less stream-of-consciousness.

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Regrettably, I have been too busy today to craft a proper reflection on December 7th, 1941. Fortunately, the words of the time speak for themselves.

From the site of the attack...

...to the men who lived through it (pay particular note to his closing remarks)...

...to the little moments of soft-spoken heroism...

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