Remembering September 11 and how to rebuild

Last weekend we remembered the devastation that September 11, 2001 caused in the world. It took a couple of years before the rebuilding could begin. The holes that were created that day were far greater than anyone could have imagined.

The physical hole was grand. The subway that ran under the towers looked like a tiny toy train when standing on ground zero; I have seen it. That hole may take 10 to 20 years to repair. The other holes that devastating day created may take a lifetime to rebuild. The lives that were lost, the families that were torn apart, the companies that disappeared, the effects of stress on the human bodies and minds, only time will tell how long it will take to heal all of these wounds. And now, after two years of recession, we once again begin to rebuild lives, relationships, careers and companies.

At my staffing agency, About Staffing, we certainly have had to learn how to rebuild. We first had to rebuild after the terrorist attacks in 2001, and now, we’ve had to do it all over again after this recession. When companies fail in mass because of world events, hiring comes to a halt. Staffing agencies cannot help anyone or hire anyone in this situation. The light at the end of the tunnel is that people do tend to survive and find a way to manage through it, regardless of how hopeless the situation may seem at a particular moment.

For some people, September 2001 may seem like a lifetime ago, but for others, the effects are still a part of every waking moment. For some, this recent recession felt like a small blip, while others are still suffering from major financial, personal, relational, and physical issues.

We all try to find ways to fill the holes in our lives. Some find new jobs, some find new relationships, some start new hobbies or classes, some people move and some run far away. People deal with stress in many different ways. Some will choose to withdraw, some get sick, and some fill up with bad food, drugs or alcohol. But some people fill that space by helping others heal, which helps them in return.

Life is filled with cycles, surprises, and events, some within our control and some not. It is important to work on rebuilding as soon as possible and fill those holes with meaning and understanding. There is always light at the end of the tunnel, if we choose to keep moving forward to find it.