As we remember 9/11, twenty years later, I am old enough to remember every detail about that day.

Where I was and what I saw. I was standing on 57th street and looked down 5th Avenue in New York City and saw smoke coming from downtown, filling up the air.

I also remember how America and our friends from around the world felt. We felt as one.

We mourned for every life lost.

We showed compassion for those that survived and we were determined and resolved to stand as one nation undivided. We emerged out of that historical tragedy as a country - kinder, gentler and more empathetic for our family, friends, neighbors and community.

As we have never forgotten those lost that sunny September day; for those of us who lived through it, we will never forget the love we showed each other; and, how we all realized, we have more that brings us together than separates us. 9/11 brought us together.

As we walk slowly through another historical tragedy, the COVID 19 pandemic, it has done nothing but tear us apart.

We will all remember the nightmare of the shutdown; the blame, the fear; and the loss of lives, the loss of jobs and the loss of living as we knew it. We are getting back to school, business and our lives but hate has emerged; and, there is division in our country.

We are meaner.

We are ruder.

We are less understanding.

While we cannot blame everything on the pandemic.  In my opinion, it is driving a large part of negative feelings that presents itself as anger, fear and hate.

There are families broken, friendships lost and neighbors on the other side of the fence. People are arguing about masks and vaccines, not willing to just agree to disagree and to respect the other.

I am no PollyAnna but we have to get back to treating strangers, service people, neighbors, family and friends with kindness, compassion and empathy.

My daughter was tasked by her school to read The Kindness Formula:  Caring + Character = Success by Jim Olayos. Everyone should read this book.  Its theme is kindness and how he has lived a life with kindness as his compass; teaching his children the same.  Let’s all come together and force this pandemic to bring us together to treat one another:

Nicer.

More courteous.

With more empathy.

We’ll never forget this time but consider making the feeling that you felt when you remember this period; a good one towards your family, friends, neighbors and strangers.  Please be kind.

Sonya Ruff Jarvis is an entrepreneur and founder of Jarvis Consultants, LLC, a marketing, events and branding firm that helps businesses create innovative approaches to navigate the world of marketing. Sonya has been a part of the B2B retail industry for more than 25 years and is the founder of the Home Improvement eRetailer Summit. Follow Sonya on Twitter @jarvisconsult and @eretailersummit or contact her directly at sonya@jarvisconsultants.com.  She is also an author and her books can be found on AMAZON.