What does resilience mean to you, especially in the face of unimaginable tragedy? Join Hilary on this poignant episode as we reflect on the 23rd anniversary of 9/11 and the enduring spirit that emerged from that fateful day. Hilary revisits her personal memories of a surreal morning in Hawaii and discuss how the events of 9/11 have shaped our national and personal identities. Through the powerful stories of individuals like Mary and Al Siller, who founded the Tunnel to Towers Foundation in memory of their heroic brother Stephen, we celebrate the incredible strength found in turning pain into purpose.
Key Takeaways:
Resilience is the ability to bounce back from adversity and transform pain into purpose.
Personal tragedies, such as those experienced on 9/11, can be catalysts for positive change and personal transformation.
It’s never too late to reinvent yourself or relaunch your life, even after facing significant setbacks.
Leaning on community and support networks is essential for cultivating resilience and overcoming challenges.
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Transcripts
Hilary DeCesare:
Welcome to the ReLaunch Podcast. I'm Hilary DeCesare, and today, on the 23rd anniversary of 911 think about that 23 years ago, we're going to explore a powerful theme, resilience and how it impacts your relaunches. 23 years ago, our nation faced an unimaginable tragedy. Nearly 3000 lives were lost in New York, Washington, DC and Pennsylvania. The impact of that day continues to resonate with us when you hear 911 what comes up for you? Where were you? I can remember exactly. I was on a club trip in Hawaii. I was with my first husband, Mick. We had left our three little kids at home. I had a six month old or seven month old, and then twins that were three, and I remember my mom calling, and it was 4am or 3am something crazy, and I remember picking up, and I'm like, Mom, what are you doing? And all she said was, turn on the TV again. Where were you? The images that we watched on TV. It shaped our national identity, our personal identity, our personal journeys. But today, we're not just remembering the tragedy. We're going to celebrate the incredible resilience of the human spirit, and exploring how for many, 911 became a catalyst for personal transformation, a relaunch.
Hilary DeCesare:
Let's first talk about resilience. What is resilience? It's our ability to bounce back from adversity to find strength in our darkest moments. The families of 911 victims have shown us what true resilience looks like. Take the story of Mary and Al Siller. They lost their brother Stephen, a firefighter who ran through the Brooklyn battery tunnel in full gear to reach the Twin Towers. Instead of them being consumed by grief, they founded the tunnel to towers foundation. It's raised millions to support first responders and all of their families. This is resilience. This is resilience in action, taking immense pain and channeling it into purpose. But resilience isn't just about enduring. It's about evolving, and this is where the concept of relaunch comes in. For many. 911 became this turning point, a moment that inspired profound change. We saw this on a huge national level with the rebuilding of the World Trade Center side One World Trade Center now stands as an actual testament to our ability to rise from the ashes, literally and figuratively, when you walk through the doors of that building, There is this calming effect that takes over you. I actually found it to be one of the most peaceful places that I've ever been to, to just be, to think, to remember, to show gratitude for all those people that day and the most powerful stories of relaunch are often personal. I had a company that was a security company to keep kids safe online, and one of my investors was Dina Burnett. Dina Burnett Bailey, her husband was Tom Burnett. Tom Burnett was on United Flight 93 that September morning, and he was among the group of passengers who fought back against the hijackers who took over the plane. If you were to pull up to his grave at Fort Stelling National Cemetery, it's clear how much of an impact Tom is still making today. For those that don't know, his tombstone says citizen soldier.
Hilary DeCesare:
So I decided to go to Dina's Instagram today, and as I was scrolling through, I. I found a bunch of quotes. One was that she said, Rise above the storm and you will find the sunshine. Another one, don't let your struggle become your identity. Another resilience story comes through with Anjali Berman, she was working in the north tower on 911 and she survived. She survived the experience, and it led her to reevaluate her life completely. She left her high stress finance job and became a yoga instructor and this mindfulness coach, and she's dedicating her life to helping others find peace and purpose and joy. Another Quinn, Joe. Quinn, he lost his brother on 911 and subsequently joined the army. He served tours in Iraq, Afghanistan, and today he runs a support organization turning his personal tragedy into a mission to help others. These stories teach us that even in our darkest moments, we have the power to redefine our lives, to find new meaning and purpose. So how can we actually apply these lessons of resilience and relaunch to our own lives? Well, first, remember, resilience is a skill that we can cultivate. It's about developing a growth mindset believing we can learn and evolve from our challenges. Second, don't be afraid to relaunch. Whether you're facing a personal setback or you're just feeling stuck, remember that it's never too late to reinvent yourself, restart you, relaunch you.
Hilary DeCesare:
The stories from 911 show us that even the most devastating events can be catalyst for positive change, and I gotta encourage you lean on your community, the solidarity that we saw after 911 reminds us of the power of coming together, whether it's family, friends, support groups, don't hesitate to reach out when you need help. Doesn't have to be huge, like, Oh God, this was the biggest thing. It can be small things that we just need help. So as we remember 911 let's honor the victims by embodying the resilience their families have shown us. Let's be inspired by those who use this tragedy as a launch pad for actual positive change. I encourage you all take a moment today to just reflect. How can you be more resilient in your own life? Is there an area where you need to relaunch, and if you're comfortable, share your stories of resilience, share your stories of your relaunches with others. Your journey might actually be the inspiration that someone else needs.
Hilary DeCesare:
Thanks for being here, thanks for joining me today. Let's carry forward the legacy of 911 not just with remembrance, but with a commitment to resilience and a courage to relaunch when life calls for it. Today, relaunch is your tomorrow's comeback. Until next time, this is Hilary DeCesare stay strong, stay resilient, and never underestimate your power to relaunch you.
