In times of tragedy…
…I’m learning that I’m pretty selfish.
I woke up early this morning to go to the gym. As soon as I got to my favorite treadmill, I looked up at the TV and the first thing I saw was “President Bush urging extra vigilance” and pictures of a ripped up bus, running people, and smoke. My first thought was, “Oh shit, Joe’s in New York!” And I said an instant and desperate prayer that what I was seeing wasn’t in New York.
As soon as I figured out it was London, I felt a huge sense of relief. How fucked up is that?! Then I felt guilty. Are people in London less important to me than strangers who live in my own country? Apparently so.
But as I continued to watch the news, I realized two things: 1. I really do have empathy for suffering foreigners, and 2. it’s damn hard to jog on a treadmill and cry at the same time.