Look back 12 years from today.

You might have been in your kindergarten classroom learning about shapes. Or maybe you were teaching a group of students the fundamental theorem of algebra. Or maybe you were so young you don’t even remember where you were.

Each of our eyes were focused on the task at hand, whatever that may have been. But at 8:46 a.m., the eyes of our nation all turned toward New York City and watched as the Twin Towers burned and crashed to the ground. We may not recall our actions as individuals that day, but each of us can recall our actions as a nation. We grieved with sinking hearts, commemorated our heroes, and after time we slowly dried our tears and did what we always do; we picked ourselves up.

Now look sideways.

Look at the people next to you: your classmates, your neighbors, your family, your colleagues. Notice how they are saying what they want, wearing what they want, being who they want. Take note of that iconic piece of fabric adorned with 50 gleaming stars and 13 bold stripes hanging in classrooms and flowing outside of buildings. Look outside the window and appreciate the lack of a militia patrolling streets on which a glaring 50-foot statue stands to idolize a ruler who by no means has your best interest in mind. Realize that you’re free.

On a day like today, Patriot’s Day, forget about things like political policies, the controversial War Against Terror, personal political affiliations, and opinions on whether or not America should send troops to Syria. While there are numerous ways events and tragedies can be and have been responded to, the protection of freedom is always at the top of our country’s list of priorities. Look around and appreciate where we as citizens are today because of our country’s indistinguishable will to protect that thing our society values most, freedom. If not as a habit and if not for the day, then just for a moment, ignore your political opinions, look sideways, and be grateful.

Now look forward.

In the future, this country will experience more tragedies. They will wring our hearts and bind us together.  Our government will react and take action to combat the forces which bring tragedy within our borders. In these future moments, whether you believe their actions to be right or wrong, look back at what the government has done for past tragedies and think about why they did it. Look sideways and appreciate the freedom these actions have brought you. And then put your political complaints on the backburner and be grateful for the life you’re blessed with and those who fight for you to keep it.

We always find time to complain. But on days like today, find time to look back and remember, look sideways and appreciate, and look forward with hope of making tomorrow better.