Today is a day of mourning and reflection. How much has the world changed since 9/11? And has it really been 18 years? It very well may be the defining event of our time.

Perhaps every generation says so, but it seems we are more polarized than ever, both nationally and globally. It’s like we’ve forgotten how to listen, how to consider. These critical thinking skills will prove vital for our species in the years to come. I hope we relearn them.

It’s important to remember the infamous yesterday of 2001, and to honor today, but also to contemplate how we can be better to each other tomorrow.