"To live without hope is to cease to live." - Dostoyevski

Friends,

Today is 9-11-2003.

Two years ago, today, nineteen men hijacked planes and attacked the Twin Towers and Pentagon. We've had a lot of time to think between then and now. But today we need to do a special kind of thinking.

Everyone will commemorate this day in his or her own way. Some will wave flags. Some will burn them. Some will beat their chests. Some will turn their backs. Today, I ask you, in the spirit of peace and justice, to commemorate 9-11 with "mindful" reconciliation.

Auschwitz/Buchenwald survivor and Nobel Peace Laureate Elie Wiesel said: "What is man? Hope turned to dust? No. What is man? Dust turned to hope!" Let every moment of this day be a resurrection of hope, from the dust and ashes of 9-11.

Today, embody hope. Be hope. Bring an aura of hope wherever you go. Walk. Breathe. Smile. Forgive. Don't argue. Listen with compassion. Practice spontaneous acts of kindness. Notice the potential seeds of discontent or criticism in yourself, but do not give them nourishment. Today's not the day for a fight. Then again, what day is?

Notice your habits. How are you part of the cycle of cause and effect - locally, nationally, globally? Do your everyday actions contribute to the problem or the solution? What kind of seeds are you planting today? What can you do better? Can you do more? Can you do less?

Be mindful in all things, no matter how mundane. Carry a mental candle through your morning and afternoon, illuminating yourself and those and around you. Stay in the moment. Savor this day. Meditate on its ramifications.

Then, join our "Circle of Hope" at the Central Place fountain on the Downtown Mall at 7 PM. Bring your friends and family. This event is not a protest, so leave your signs at home. A collection of quotes or short readings will be provided for participants to read aloud if they feel inclined, otherwise the vigil will be silent. Candles will also be provided, but try to bring your own in case we run out.

The Chinese symbol for "crisis" is made of the symbols for "danger" and "opportunity." Be grateful for this day, this world, this life. Be an opportunist ... and an optimist. Today is your opportunity to give a new direction to the days to follow this solemnly significant, magically transformative, hopeful, peaceful, mindful day of 9-11.

Yours,

Brian Wimer (electronic mail, September 11, 2003)

"We are not permitted to choose the frame of our destiny. But what we put into it is ours." - Dag Hammarskjold