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[Odler]

(and what it means to all of us).

By Lim Swee Choo

We only have this moment, sparkling like a star in our hand, and melting like a snowflake. Let us use it before it is too late. ~ Marie Beynon Ray

My country is what you would call a developing nation ~ which loosely meant we are working really hard in every way possible to be like the US of A. In fact, our generation of teens here are fast abandoning our much cherished culture like the Black Plague and adopting the lifestyle from the ever popular TV sitcom "Friends".

The younger generations of the more developed nations in Asia are fast imitating the values, lifestyles and pop culture from Hollywood, which in general are, in no particular order ~ having a deep distrust in all governmental institutions and its policies, a profound disregard over culture and an intense distain over societal norms.

Families in Asia, these days are so very much more fragmented, people are divorcing more frequently and they are in fact quite proud to have many live-in lovers, etc. Looking good, being popular and drinking designers' coffee all seems to be the treasured past time and "in thing" with our youths.

This all had slightly changed with September 11?

Although I live half a planet away, but all of us here, will NEVER ever forget the shocking day in New York, as long as we live. September 11 showed just how fragile Life is and simultaneously forced us to stop for a minute and reevaluate their lives, and ourselves.

Suddenly, looking beautiful and being popular felt absolutely ridiculous and shamefully shallow.

Maybe you might NOT agree with me, but before September 11, I believe the American culture were in fact "Friends" and "Ally McBeal".

September 11 GAVE Americans the justification to reinstate the respect of patriotism to the country, to reinstall their faith in religion, and most importantly not to take their infallible privileged lifestyles for granted.

Being under siege in one's own country made all American ethnics and religions come through together as One nation, under God. The institutions we have been taking for granted (the fire brigade, the emergency services, the medical team, the police, the army, etc) which we had somehow mistrusted are now our heroes.

September 11 gave back to Americans the cultural values they tended to abandon.

At a personal level, it has LOUDLY reminded me that life here on Earth must be one of STEWARDSHIP.

Remember the famous line from "Spiderman": 'With great power comes great responsibility...'

The more powerful one becomes...the more humble and careful one must tread this earth.

Tell me, what does September 11 meant to you personally- has it changed You in any way?

Juz Moi,

swee

writing from half a planet away....