Global Contemplation Photo: LisaGagne
We are scattered across the globe. Souls impacted so intensely by the events of 9/11 that our career paths took a right turn. By “right” I mean in the direction of more meaningful work or vocation.And it wasn’t just New Yorkers.
For some it was a matter of survival because they lost their jobs and it was an opportunity to change their careers, others felt grateful that they survived and decided to take on work that they loved, even if it meant making less money. Some decided to create more flexibility in their work-life merge. And then there were people like me who looked for deeper meaning in their own profession.
A collective “Global Contemplation” took hold as people questioned life, happiness and their family-work dynamic. Think about it. How did your work-live scenario change and where are you ten years later?
When the towers fell I was working as a national radio correspondent in New York City. The tragedy triggered a deep need to explore the concept of “human beings at work.” I wrote about this in a post a while back, The Sacred Perception of the Human Element at Work.
NYPD Officer Glenn Petit
It hit me like a ton of bricks when my friend and colleague News 12 Photographer and NYPD Officer Glenn Pettit was killed in Tower Two. He had gone into the chaos with his camera in-hand while working with the NYPD.
Glenn was a selfless charmer who would put the comfort of others before his own. I remember shooting a story in a blizzard with him. He literally threw me over his shoulder so I wouldn’t get soaked by the waist high snow, and then gave me his hat and gloves for a live shot because it was so cold. That’s just who he was.
This week he’s being remembered for the jolly ole soul he was. It’s that time of the year to celebrate the lives of those we lost. And for people like me, to remember that out of the ashes rose much gratitude for a new lens on life from which vocation emerged.
I briefly shared some of my experiences at my Forbes blog post here. But I wanted to tell the whole story.. so here it is…
We Will Rebuild: The Day the New York Stock Exchanged Reopened after 9/11
He wore a finely pressed beige suit, a face of stone with glossed over eyes, head bandaged, arm in a sling. Even ten years after I covered the events of 9/11 as a national radio reporter, the image of a man limping up Wall Street, as the New York Stock Exchange reopened, was the moment I knew New York would come back. I also knew that my working and living experienced had forever merged and I would have to figure out a way to endure covering the pain of a nation, while dealing with my own grief.
I was working as a NYC radio correspondent for the Marketplace Morning Report, as heard on NPR. Only two months on the job, I was not only covering the most historic story of my career, but I was doing it from the ash-strewn streets of New York. The radio studio, just blocks from the site of the Twin Towers was shut down, also deluged with ash.
The apartment of my news director, Bob Moon, became our office. Bob was a genius. He rigged a studio so we could take in tape and file to the headquarters in Los Angeles. I know the folks in LA felt for us, they were kind, but I’m not sure they really knew how hard it was to function. Days into the tragedy I had found out that a friend and colleague, News 12 Long Island photographer, and NYPD Officer Glenn Pettit, was missing in the rubble of Tower Two.
There was no separation between work and my personal life anymore. Day after day I would talk to the folks at News 12 to see if there was any word about Glenn, but it never came. The collective grief was heart wrenching, but I kept working. And then came an epiphany about this “collective grief.” There couldn’t be a soul who was leaving their feelings at the door of the workplace. Work-life balance had gone out the door. How was the world handling the cutting emotions of this tragedy at work? More importantly, how was I going to handle it without burning out. Functioning was so difficult. My body was pained and my nerves frayed.
Meditation and Service Calms the Soul
I dove into meditation and yoga in the little free time that I had, but there was such a longing to help others. Suddenly, a friend from the United Nations asked me to work with the children of the victims of 9/11.
By day I would report for marketplace and by night and sometimes on the weekends I headed to Pier 94. That’s where family members would go to fill out insurance papers, apply for financial aid and bring DNA evidence in hope of identifying their loved one.
A special spot in the middle of the huge hanger was created to babysit the children. It was called “Kids Korner.” Yes, with a “K.” Sand bag chairs and big fluffy couches circled an area filled with art supplies, snacks, stuffed animals, paints, and toys. One resilient little girl made a particular impact.
Grace From the Mouths of Babes
Six year-old Samantha had long flowing brown hair, big green eyes and a happy disposition. Right before my eyes, on a large canvas, she painted smoking Twin Towers standing in the rays of a big sun. Big red fire engines appeared at the bottom of the page and then she drew something that surprised me. Floating right next to the towers was an angel who looked just like her. She was smiling with a halo hovering.
I pointed to the angel commenting on how beautiful she was. Her response, “That’s my mommy, she’s going to be with Jesus.”
A flood of emotions came, I teared up and tried not to cry, remaining composed. This young child patted my hand and told me not to be sad. Her mother had worked high in the towers, so she was able to leave as an angel.
Resilience in the Shadow of the Fallen Towers
The resilience of this little girl lingered during my work days that followed, and in fact till this day. In the workplace we are not just cogs in the wheels of commerce, we’re human beings – no matter the profession. It didn’t matter whether you were a reporter, a waiter or a financial analyst. 9/11 brought the human condition to light in the workplace and it could no longer be ignored.
Work-life balance took on new meaning and I shifted much of my reporting and subsequent blogging toward that niche. I’m now teaching meditation and coaching others in stress reduction at work.
Ten years later as the Founder of WorkLifeNation.com I’m still seeking out the programs, pioneers and innovations that enhance employee wellness, productivity and engagement – in what is to this day – an era of uncertainty.
How did your work-life scenario change? Did you take a turn in your career? Please share!
