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September 11 + 2

Posted by Stuart at 12:01 PM on September 11, 2003

Today is September 11, so of course none of us can escape at least a passing thought about where we were and what we experienced two years ago today.

A couple of days ago, I read an interesting article written by a woman who was at the World Trade Center two years ago. The interesting part (for me) was her reminder that sometimes we have no control over the events in our lives. But even if, at the time, an unplanned event seems life-destroying (or at the very least life-changing) the path taken after the fact is often better than the one you were on in the first place.

That's the story of my last two years as well, and I know I am not alone. I have one ex-collegue who was fired from his High-Tech Project Manager job the same day I was. Two years later, every week or so I get an email from him letting me know what dates his band will be playing in San Francisco. He's made the transition from Corporate Manager to guitar player -- a transition from a high-paying job to one where he is following his passions -- and I couldn't be happier for him.

As for me, two years later, I find myself on the other side of the world working in a completely different field than I was before. I never expected or imagined I would ever be here, but I wouldn't trade the last two years for anything.