phoenix...

A unique bird that lived for five or six centuries in the Arabian desert, after this time burning itself on a funeral pyre and rising from the ashes with renewed youth to live through another cycle

it is the 10th anniversary of 9:11 today.

i still remember where i was when i found out. it was my 16th birthday and i had just blown out the candles on my cake. i found out quite late in the day as i had been at school all day. i can remember how i felt, but i can't describe it. 

since the events ten years ago i have been in awe of people's resilience, whether it was nyc on the day itself, or london on 7:7. one of the most amazing story of resilience i have come across was about cantor fitzgerald, a city brokerage with a reputation for being tough that lost nearly everyone in its nyc office. 658 people died, the majority of the company. those who were left (around 70 people working out of the london office) had a choice, give up or work like they have never worked and look after their friend's families. they chose to keep going, few people expected them to be successful. in an amazing turn around those left have since provided more than £110 million for the families of those who died on 9:11 and a further £40 million for charity. the story of how they did it is here.

in the last ten years there have been thousands of stories like this, of people overcoming the worst atrocities. i would love to hear your stories of people moving on from 9:11.

x.