This morning, reflection brought a wave of emotion. 

23 years ago today, while working in my employer’s Chicago LaSalle Street office, I walked into the technology room to an eerie silence as my co-workers were glued to their computers (we had no TV on that floor). The news outlets were streaming shocking events, and my pager (yes, pager!) buzzed non-stop with alerts. It was 9/11—the day that forever changed our world. 

Because I used public transit, I waited to head home until late morning, mindful of Chicago’s tall buildings. The commute, which typically took 30-45 minutes, stretched over two hours, ending with a long walk as buses ceased operations due to safety concerns. Cellular phone networks were overloaded and I had no way to tell family or friends that I was OK and headed home. 

As we remember the victims, first responders, and survivors of that day, let’s also reflect on the importance of resilience. While we can’t prevent the unexpected, building resilience—individually and collectively—makes us better prepared. Start the conversation with your family, friends, or team today. 

#Resilience begins with you. Let’s build it together.