Photo: Bob Jagendorf
It’s ten years and a day since 9/11. I’ve been thinking a lot about it not only because of the media mentions, but because 9/11 is part of the ongoing genesis of my commitment to peace.
I was a little under a mile away from the Towers when it happened. The air smelled dreadful for weeks. My kitty developed a cough. I started to walk uptown to friends as I carried Charles and a cab driver, who was worried sick about his dog, picked me up because I had an animal. He took me much farther than I’d already walked after I promised to pray for his dog.
These words from Monique Ruffin-Jones made sense to me:
“Creativity and worry cannot live together peacefully.”
She’s right. I wasn’t particularly a worrier before 9/11 and afterward, I was even less of one. Why? Basically, no interest. Worry never solved anything, but creativity in the guise of ingenuity has solved a lot. I chose creativity over worry then, and I still do.
You see, if you’re living a creative life, you can’t worry. Not, you won’t worry or you don’t worry. You can’t. Creativity is too vitally alive to co-exist with worry, and I think that’s part of what remembering this anniversary is about.
We’re far closer to peace when we’re creative than when we’re worried.
Try it. You’ll see what I mean.
P.S. I’m convinced the cabbie got home and found his beloved dog safe and sound. My Charles was just fine once the air cleared.
By Susan Corso | For spiritual nourishment, please visit www.susancorso.com
