The Third Pig

Sunday will be the tenth anniversary of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. I worked in the World Trade Center in downtown New York City at the time for Lehman Brothers. That particular day I was scheduled to be in our Jersey City offices across the Hudson River. I often think about how lucky I was, simply due to a scheduled monthly meeting, not to be in the direct line of fire. But then I am saddened by all those who lost their lives needlessly and so violently. Having been an eyewitness to the attacks and not in the direct line of fire, I have been given the peculiar gift of being able to enjoy the NOW.

source: HowardLake

Let’s face it, life is short and if you’re breathing, you are blessed. Even more so, if you have been fortunate enough to enjoy and benefit from the fruits of this nation, you are mega-blessed. And with those blessings I believe it is only right to pay homage in one form or another.

Poor and restricted are our opportunities in this life; narrow our horizon; our best work most imperfect; but rich men should be thankful for one inestimable boon. They have it in their power during their lives to busy themselves in organizing benefactions from which the masses of their fellows will derive lasting advantage, and thus dignify their own lives…

This, then, is held to be the duty of the man of wealth: first, to set an example of modest, unostentatious living, shunning display or extravagance; to provide moderately for the legitimate wants of those dependent upon him; and after doing so to consider all surplus revenues which come to him simply as trust funds which he is called upon to administer, and strictly bound as a matter of duty to administer in the manner which, in his judgment, is best calculated to produce the most beneficial results for the community…

- Andrew Carnegie, The Gospel of Wealth

The following are some favorite charities of mine. In honor of those who left us due to the events of 9/11/01, please consider these charities or donate to your favorite worthy cause.

Fight Gone Bad 6
On September 17, 2011, CrossFitters from around the world will come together to endure 17 minutes of one of our most grueling workouts in honor of those men and women who have given a lifetime of service and sacrifice. Proceeds go the The Special Operations Warrior Foundation.

Donate here.

NFTE (pronounced "Nifty")
The Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship's mission is to provide programs that inspire young people from low-income communities to stay in school, to recognize business opportunities and to plan for successful futures. Through entrepreneurship, young people discover that what they are learning in the classroom is relevant to the real world. To date, NFTE has worked with nearly 350,000 young people from low-income communities in programs across the U.S. and around the world.

Donate here.