I have always had certain things in my life that have helped me go through tough times, and after September 11 it was no different.  There are three things that have always helped me when I was down, or when I needed to change my frame of mind.  The first is music.  There are so many elements to music, the rhythm, the lyrics, and the melody.  A perfect combination of the three can give a new sense to the listener, a sense of hope, of dreams, and of life.  The second are the performing arts, whether the theater or the movies, it always gives me a window to escape from reality for a little while.  It gives a sense of being in a different world and different situations, and it is so easy to get immersed in the moment, that all my problems are soon forgotten.  I don't think there is anything better in this world then to experience theater.  Anyway, the third and last thing that has helped me is my family and friends.  I have never really believed in religion in part because I have thought that the people that are around us are the ones we should ask for help and support, not some image we have about someone or something.  Anyway, I have always valued the people that are in my life, and I am thankful everyday that I have the ability to pick up the phone, call someone, and have them listen to my problems and visa versa.  The combination of these three things can help me go through anything, and they have.