September 8, 2003 The Changes of September

September has always been a month of transition for people in America. Labor Day brings an end to the summer holidays as children go back to school and workers buckle down even harder to make their end of year numbers. The calendar tells us the official change of seasons occurs during the month, as summer passes into autumn. As the month progresses, a bit of a nip in the air replaces the hot, humid days of August in some areas, and the first hint of color begins to appear in the leaves. Our recreational activities move from swimming or boating to weekends of football and soccer. Jewish people even celebrate the beginning of a New Year during the month.

Kids likely view September with a bit of dread, since it means early mornings, boring homework and more limitations on free time. Many parents on the other hand sigh with relief (unless of course their baby is heading off for college!), as schoolwork and related activities become bigger parts of their children's lives again.

No doubt about it, September is a month that symbolizes the kinds of transitions and changes people have to confront and deal with throughout most of their lives.

Two years ago, a dramatically new appointment with change entered our lives one beautiful September morning. September 11, 2001, was a day of great change -very personal, yet worldwide in scope; of small impact to some, yet catastrophic to others. Just mention that date, and you can literally see the mood in people shift. You may personally feel a difference in your own emotional state as well. September will never be the same for people old enough to have witnessed and comprehended what happened on that fateful day. And for all of us, the way we go about our daily lives will forever be altered in one way or another.

There is change in the world every day. Sometimes the change is big, other times almost unnoticeable. Sometimes it is for the good, sometimes it is not. The fact is, change is a part of life that each of us must learn to accept and grow from, rather than ignore or be beaten down by. As easy as that is to say, it is not so simple to do, especially when the change is extremely personal and cuts very deep.

Since September is such a symbol of transition, perhaps you can do a couple of things during the month to focus on and learn more from the dynamics of change. First, set aside some time to examine the changes that are occurring right now in your life. How are you dealing with them? Do you have people you can go to for help, advice or some well-timed consolation? What are you doing to better accept those changes and to take more control over your actions in spite of all the disorder?

Then, step back and think about other people close to you, family members as well as work associates. What major changes or transitions are they facing? (Do you even know? Based on your interactions with them, would they think you even care?) How are they responding? What can you do to help them?

Finally, remember those whose lives were turned completely upside down on 9/11. Think about what they have had to experience. Reflect on the ways your life would be different if you had been in their shoes. Say a prayer for them.