Yesterday marked the one-year anniversary of the death of Osama Bin Laden.
While the military community and many Americans were celebrating his death, some were annoyed that the news break interrupted their favorite TV shows, like CSI and The Apprentice.
I posted this on Facebook:
“OBL is dead and I am happy, some people were inconvenienced and missed their TV show (which elicited a well-earned and reserved-for-special-occasions
F-bomb from me). Evil x3 arrives on this day in history: OBL’s death falls on the same day as Hitler’s death and my MIL’s uncanny appearance by phone. Tomorrow my son in-processes at MEPS to enlist in the Army. My priorities are just fine, thank you. How’s yours?”
I was pretty stunned that people were openly complaining about having to hear the President speak when they would much rather watch The Apprentice.
It wasn’t a weather report, people.
My husband and thousands others had their lives ripped apart…and thousands more were MURDERED and lost their lives thanks to Osama Bin Laden. If that is an inconvenience to you, imagine OUR inconvenience.
One of the comments that came in via my wall was this one from another military wife:
..it has been 10 years, people forget because they can. They have no personal investment. They do not pay daily for this. We are spoiled children. We whine and cry over meaningless things.
I think three people “un-friended” me that day, yet dozens and dozens rallied in support. One flat-out asserted she had every right to be irritated for her inconvenience. I think the other two did it because I dropped an F-Bomb.
(The irony here is everyone had the right to free speech, regardless of which side of the camp you were on).
I haven’t missed those three people at all, to be honest. My life is that much better off as a result.
So let’s explore how this one loss created a bigger gain
In May 2011, many things happened. Many bad things happened, but many more good things have happened in return.
May 2011 wasn’t just a celebration of the death of a tyrant. A comparison of this time last year is actually a reflection of our past, a marking point for our present, and a guidepost for our future.
If you are in the middle of a crisis (which we were at this time last year!) – trust me when I say you need to give your situation time. You would be amazed at how many positive things will happen between now and next year.
You are probably having a really pissy day right now and you are thinking, “Um, yeah, Torrey. Easier said than done. Life sucks right now….so, HOW can I get that feeling of Kum-Ba-Yah in my life?”
I used to be one of those people that said those kinds of things. I am finally (FINALLY!) figuring out that those kind of thought processes, my slippery slope into a defeatist attitude, was nothing but a waste of time and energy.
You need to turn that frustration into the energy you need:
You can take your frustration and make it fuel for the fire inside you. Trust me, you will kick some serious ass if you channel your anger or frustration into positive energy to create positive changes.
You may lose things in your life in very big ways: Your loved ones, your home, your reputation, your dignity, your hope and faith….
But I promise you …if you give it time… you will be rewarded in other ways.
You may lose friends, but you will gain more in return.
You may be thinking “how am I ever going to get through this?” and just when you least expect it, something will turn it completely around.
Hardships have the capability of bringing out the best in you for they test your patience, persistence, perseverance, tolerance, courage and your ability to keep faith and hope.
Sometimes though…it brings out the worst in others.
They say that “History repeats itself.” For many, indeed it does. But for some, it doesn’t.
WHY?
Because, if you have learned lessons stemming from difficult phases of your life, the probability of repeating it becomes less and less. You become a visionary and remain prudent regarding those mistakes. That is how some people bring their history, their bad past, to a stand.
The biggest thing to remember is that you are alive and have survived those adversities.
That is more than we can say about Osama Bin Laden.
I think we learned a very valuable lesson through our mistakes in dealing with Osama Bin Laden. I don’t suppose our country will take decades to finally rid ourselves of a tyrant who was a threat to our country. Never again will we suffer such great losses due to one dictator.
But, then again, as long as we have The Apprentice to look forward to watching, who needs to care?
Sound off!
Is your life better off than it was a year ago? Did you find growth amongst the tragedies of your life?
Do you think we are better off now that Osama Bin Laden is no longer terrorizing our country? Do you think that people even care?
I’d love to hear your honest thoughts. Good, bad or otherwise. Fire away in the comments below!
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