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Attempted terrorist attack in NYC feels close to home

 

 

 

 

 

Williams wrote: “In fact, officials say, the men recently bought what they thought were explosives, which they put in storage lockers outside the city. But what the men did not know is that the material they bought was actually harmless, sold to them by informants posing as explosives dealers.” He went on to write, “Officials emphasize that the men never had actual bombs and could not have pulled off any attack.”

 

I guess in my positive-thinking manner I can focus on the fact that officials were well enough on top of things to discover this small group of terrorists and to render them impotent. That’s a small  consolation when one considers how many other small groups might be out there and going unnoticed.

 

I don’t want to instill fear in anyone with this column; that’s not my purpose. We must all remember Rebbe Nachman’s teaching: “A person walks in life on a very narrow bridge. The most important thing is not to be afraid.” While this translation represents the most common one, a more accurate translation would be, “The most important thing is not to make yourself afraid.” In other words, don’t focus on the things that cause you to feel fearful. Don’t be a Pollyanna, but don’t cause yourself undue distress by putting your attention on negative future possibilities. Instead, focus on positive future possibilities. Or, better yet, be in the present moment. In this moment, you are more than likely just fine – safe and sound. Focus on that. You know I will be doing just that in New York.