by KYW’s Suzanne Monaghan
While 9/11 is a day to remember the great tragedy that happened in this country, for others it's a time to balance sorrow with celebration.
Maybe September 11th is your child's birthday, a family member’s birthday, or it could be your own birthday or anniversary. Mental health professionals say don't let sadness or guilt overshadow your happy occasion -- that it's not disrespectful to celebrate:
"In fact, you're respecting individual dignity, many of the wonderful things this country stands for: personal freedoms, freedom to pursue your own happiness."
Frank Farley is a psychologist at Temple University. He says people can't have their personal lives devastated by an event they have no control over, so remind yourself:
" 'I wasn't involved, I didn't fly the airplane into the twin towers or into the Pentagon, so therefore I bear no guilt.' "
Farley says the bottom line is to not let tragedy define your life.
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