In Hinduism, Shiva is a deity who represents transformation. Through destruction and restoration, Shiva reminds us that endings are beginnings, and that our world is constantly undergoing a cycle of birth, death and rebirth.

Rebirth always follows death.

Terrorist activity is continually recurring in various parts of the world, sowing death and destruction and plunging many of our brothers and sisters into grief and despair.

As firefighters raised our American flag in the rubble of the destruction that was the World Trade Center, they came together from all over the nation to serve. With their camaraderie, they brought dignity and honor to our country.

I believe a lot of what contributes to the sadness and downward-spiraling in our lives is a sense of hopelessness. We become resentful when circumstances aren't unfolding as we want, leading us to doubt whether we will ever get what we want.

Every phrase and every sentence is an end and a beginning, every poem an epitaph.