Life can turn on a dime—one moment, things are steady, and the next, everything shifts. You could lose your college scholarship, a family member or friend could die, your company could shut down, your home could be lost to fire or flood, your relationship could end, or, just as quickly, you could get approved for a business loan, land your dream job, receive a life-saving transplant or win the lottery.

You might feel alone one day and meet the love of your life in the most unexpected place. Nothing is permanent, and change can come in an instant.

Never take what you have for granted; don’t assume your struggles define your future.

Life has a way of surprising us when we least expect it.

On Tuesday, September 11, 2001, at 6:46 a.m., I was getting ready for work with the TV on, tuned to the Today Show. I expected it to be another ordinary day—heading to work and meeting a friend for lunch.

It wasn’t. In a matter of moments, lives were shattered.

The attacks took 2,976 lives and left thousands more injured. The next fourteen hours were a blur as I frantically made call after call—desperately trying to reach my daughter in a treatment center in Utah, checking on my family and my friends.

Searching for answers, struggling to comprehend the unimaginable. The shock. The terror. The unbearable pain.

The destruction. The heartbreak. The ruin.

Scenes on TV began to unfold: shattered glass littered the streets of New York, wounded survivors staggered through the chaos, and hospitals overflowed with the injured.

In an instant, New York had become a landscape of devastation—resembling a war zone.

I struggled to comprehend what was unfolding—the shock, the horror, the nightmare.

The emotional and physical toll it was taking on so many. But how could any of it make sense?

I was in California, safe in the comfort of my home.

That night, I climbed into bed, warm and secure—but what about the thousands who had just lost their lives?

I drifted off, knowing my friends and family were safe—but what about the countless others still desperately waiting for news of their loved ones?

My heart ached for them all. I found a sense of solace in the words of Eckhart Tolle:

“Surrender is the simple but profound wisdom of yielding to rather than opposing the flow of life.”

Resisting reality only deepens the pain.

Fighting what is leads nowhere—it only amplifies suffering.

Embracing the natural flow of life and accepting what comes is the path to peace. I choose to do what I can, with what I have, to help whomever I can, wherever I am. That is the rhythm of life.

My message today is simple: Life can and does change instantly.

Don’t take a moment—or the people you love—for granted.

Death is always near, lingering just beyond our reach.

And in the blink of an eye, in a single heartbeat, it can claim us, stealing away the most precious gift of all: the gift of being alive.

If there’s one thing to be grateful for now, let it be this—you are here.

You are safe. The air fills your lungs, your blood flows steadily, and your heart beats purposefully, carrying you forward into another fleeting moment of grace.

You are alive.

And though you do not know how many breaths remain, you know this—you are still here, still standing, still meant to be.

Your purpose is not yet fulfilled. Your only task is to surrender to life’s flow, fully embrace your purpose, and remember that everything can change instantly. So cherish every moment.

September 11, 2001, tore through the city like a storm, leaving destruction in its wake.

The recent plane crashes and the lives lost have been devastating.

Yet, no sudden loss compares to the ongoing rupture—the explosion of grief that still echoes through our hearts.

I have had the privilege of visiting the 9/11 Memorial twice, and each time, I was struck by its profound sense of peace and remembrance. I was fortunate to see it on a beautiful day, allowing me to absorb the thoughtful design and solemn atmosphere fully. The reflecting pools, with the names of those who lost their lives etched into the bronze panels, create a powerful space for reflection and tribute.

Standing there, surrounded by the gentle sound of cascading water and the towering skyline, I immersed myself in quiet remembrance—honoring the lives lost and the resilience of those left behind.

It is a place that evokes deep contemplation and respect, leaving an unforgettable imprint on the heart.

September 11, 2001, stands as one of the most harrowing days in American history, defined by an unthinkable attack on U.S. soil and an overwhelming loss of life. I must also acknowledge the extraordinary courage and swift response in its aftermath.

The brave men and women who answered the call that day—firefighters, police officers, EMTs, and countless volunteers—risked everything to save lives.

Their selfless actions brought hope in the face of devastation and helped shape the future of emergency response in the United States.