Showing posts with label 9/11. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 9/11. Show all posts

Wednesday, September 11, 2013

9/11: Honor the past, appreciate the present and never stop looking toward tomorrow


Thank you to Yahoo News for featuring my article about 9/11: Height of One World Trade Center Allows a View Past 9/11

God bless every victim who died on that day 13 years ago and everyone who lived through it - now and FOREVER.


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Feel free to contact me if there is any way that I can be of help to you, your family, or friends. If I'm able to and can help you I will.

I look forward to becoming friends on Facebook  
Let's connect on LinkedIn
Follow me on Twitter @SeanyOB

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50% of all proceeds from the sale of my new book (in both print and eBook forms) are being donated to the Children's Alopecia Project (CAP).

Feel free to use, or share this link--->> Maddie: Teaching Tolerance with a Smile to purchase the printed book directly from CAP.

If you would rather have, or also want, the eBook version then please use this link--->> Maddie: Teaching Tolerance with a Smile (eBook edition) which takes you directly to the Amazon.com site.


***Thank you to Stacey Stauffer (Fox 29 Philadelphia). She interviewed Madison Woytovich, her parents (Jeff and Betsy Woytovich) and me recently about the latest chapter in this inspiring story. Here's a video link to Stacey's wonderful feature. 


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Amazon.com is the number 1 online publishing platform in the world. That's why I used it to publish my first ebook: 

I am humbled by the reception it has received to-date and I thank everyone who has been responding to that digital creation.

This mini-tome is a collection of stories and poems for readers who don't take themselves too seriously. I hope that you enjoy it and am always interested in your feedback. 

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Feel free to click on a selection of my interviews with broadcasters, actors, models and more...


Martin Brodeur: Discusses His Record-Setting Shutout Total and Key Rivalries 
Jaromir Jagr: Current NHL Forward and Future Hall of Famer
Philadelphia Flyers' Bernie Parent: Postgame reflections 
Bobby Clarke: Philadelphia Flyers' Legend Talks Hockey
Ron Hextall Recalls His Greatest Season
Kerry Fraser: NHL Referee is Still Making the Right Calls
Visit my Examiner Contributor Page
my Yahoo Contributor Page
or my Rant Sports Author Page.

Sunday, September 11, 2011

Lessons from 9/11....What if tomorrow never comes?

We all paused and then I said: You are right. We should all try to live our lives as though next Saturday is never going to come.

That was the answer that I gave a fifth grade student when he responded to a question that I had just asked my entire class.

Past, present and the future

Part of everyone's life disintegrated when we saw the images of those planes hit New York's Twin Towers on Tuesday, September 11, 2001.

My former supervisor Gale and I were in charge of telling key personnel in our company about the tragedy and how we planned to precede. Gale's example showed me how to handle those moments with seasoned professionalism and human compassion.

Working in the business world for fifteen years allowed me to develop a certain view of reality. As time passed, I decided to change course and enter the field of education.

I have worked as an elementary school teacher for the past six years. I fully value all of my students and all of their families. Without them, I would not have my job.

What if ...

There are clarifying moments in life when someone says something that instantly shakes your mind.

One question that I regularly ask my students is this: Why not just live your life in whatever way that you want to all week long?

When each Saturday arrives, all you need to do is think about the good things you did, improve upon your indifferent actions and apologize to anyone you may have wronged. Then, when Sunday comes, just start over again.

One of my students responded to this question in a way that no one else ever did. He said, “Mr. O'Brien, what if Saturday never comes? What if you die in the meantime?”

Students are actually the best teachers in any school.

Beyond time

I believe that everyone in the country and in the world was changed in some way by September 11, 2001.

That historic event occurred on a Tuesday. So, Saturday never came for those lost souls.

Those of us who are still alive need to try and live each day as though next Saturday will never come.


Follow me on Twitter @ SeanyOB


Click on one, or more, of my Yahoo news articles below: 






Click on one, or more, of my Yahoo sports articles below:


New look Flyers about to open fresh season


The mystery behind these 1970s Topps hockey cards is revealed


When Baseball Cards were King

Five incredible Phillies pitching performances


These six NHL legends would start on any all-time team


Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick stands on the goal line


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