As the world marked a sombre anniversary this week, I reflected on how we are still searching for peace 25 years after 9/11.
Welcome to the 177th edition of The Sunday Spark, a series with weekly thoughts and highlights, nuggets of learning, and a quote of the week. Along with reflections on the 25th anniversary of 9/11, this week’s edition looks at Guelph’s goods exchange weekend, the origins of Labour Day, and the meaning of the stars on the Australian flag.
On my mind this week: Still searching for peace 25 years after 9/11
On Friday, the world marked the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. It doesn’t seem possible it has been that long. Yet 25 years after 9/11, the world is still searching for peace.
September 11, 2001 is a day that will be forever etched into the memory of anyone who was old enough to understand what was happening on that day.
Like most people, I remember vividly where I was when I heard the news. Our management team was attending a leadership training course at a local hotel. We were excited to get away from the office to spend time learning together and catching up.
When we took our first break around 10:00, one of my co-workers passed through the hotel lobby on her way outside for a cigarette. The front desk staff were watching the horrific events on TV. My co-worker rushed back into the meeting room to tell us what was happening. She was so distraught that she could barely get the words out.
The training facilitators turned on the TV and we all watched the news reports in stunned disbelief.
It was a day like no other before or since. At the time, it didn’t seem possible that this could have happened. Even 25 years later, it feels surreal.
Hope amid sadness
In the days following the attacks, I remember being haunted by the images of people clutching pictures of their missing loved ones, clinging to hope that was fading with each passing day.
When I visited the 9/11 Memorial in New York in 2013, I was humbled to look up at the sky and imagine what was once there. Amid the sadness, I was inspired by the story of The Survivor Tree that was recovered and nurtured back to life and thrives to this day. This tree reminds us that hope and healing can come out of tragedy.
In the days and months after the attacks, the world united to mourn and to rebuild. There was a sense of unity that I hadn’t felt before or since. One of the most heartwarming stories is how the wonderful people of Gander, Newfoundland opened their homes and hearts to thousands of airline passengers stranded in their community. If you haven’t seen the musical Come From Away, I highly recommend it.
Peace remains elusive
At the time, we felt like the world would never see a darker day. Yet 25 years after 9/11, the world is more divided than ever. The enemy is no longer an unknown force from a foreign land. Evil and hatred lurk among us, dividing us, pitting us against each other.
If we’ve learned anything in the last 25 years, it should be that war and hatred don’t solve anything. It’s time for a different approach. Perhaps we can take our cue from the good people of Gander Newfoundland.
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Quotes of the week
It felt appropriate to share my favourite quotes on love and peace from three very wise men.
When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace.
Jimi Hendrix
Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.
Martin Luther King Jr.
My friends, love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair. So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic. And we’ll change the world.
Jack Layton
Three highlights of the week
It’s important to celebrate big milestones and simple pleasures in life. Keeping the trend going, here are three highlights and simple pleasures of the week gone by:
- Colleen is now all packed and settling in to her new condo. I can’t wait to visit later this month.
- On Monday, my husband and I went for a long—75-minute—walk around our neighbourhood trails.
- I’m loving the late season local produce—corn, beans, peaches and more. And my tomato plants are still producing.
Things I learned this week
Life is all about learning. Here are three things I learned this week:
Guelph’s goods exchange weekend
The nearby city of Guelph, Ontario offers a goods exchange weekend twice a year on the Labour Day and Victoria Day weekends.
On the goods exchange weekend, residents put gently-used items on the curb with a “FREE” label.
What a terrific way to encourage upcycling. Let’s hope this idea catches on.
(Source: City News Kitchener)
The origins of Labour Day
Monday was Labour Day here in North America. I was interested to learn that this holiday started in 1872 out of a battle between the printing trades and Toronto newspaper The Globe. Tired of long hours, low pay, and toxic working conditions, the printers went on strike. They led a march to the Provincial Parliament that was attended by 10,000 people.
This strike led to the passage of the Trade Union Act, decriminalizing union activities, and eventually to the creation of the Labour Day Holiday.
(Source: Lloyd Alter on Substack)
Meaning of the stars on the Australian flag
Seeing the giant Australian flag unfurl on the field at the NFL game in Melbourne on Thursday, prompted me to learn the meaning of the six stars on the flag.
- The large star on the left is the Commonwealth Star. Its seven points represent Australia’s six states and federal territories.
- The five smaller stars on the right represent the Southern Cross, the brightest and most visible constellation in the southern hemisphere sky.
(Source: Government of Australia)
I’d love to hear what you think about any of this week’s topics. Drop me a comment below and let me know your thoughts and ideas.
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I love your simple pleasures thoughts…long walks…Colleen settling in…and loving the late season produce. So good…great reminders to slow down and savor. Sending Sunday love!
Thank you, my dear. In many ways, it was a heavy week, so those simple pleasures are so important to keep us grounded. Hugs to you, my friend. 🤗
The Southern Cross – I never knew. How cool is that! Great quotes! Hope you have a great week to come, Michelle.
Yes, I thought it was pretty cool. I had never really thought about it, but just assumed the stars represented the Australian states.
You have a wonderful week too, Wynne!
War and hatred most certainly don’t solve a damned thing, Michelle. So hard to believe it’s been 25 years. I really like Jean Chretien’s speech at Gander this week – which contextualized the horrifying event with the current global state.
Yes, even in his 90s, Jean Chretien is a brilliant man and an excellent statesman. I loved his speech too.