The recent terrorist attacks on America have left many Americans fearing for their lives and questioning their safety.

Showing signs of a nation defeated by terrorism, many Americans have run away and cowered in their homes in fear of another terrorist attack. Because of fear, ground transportation has become the number one travel method of choice for many Americans as they now travel in cars, R.V’s , busses and anything to keep them out of the skies.

Amtrak has reported an increase in business, while the airline companies have felt the impact of a fearful America with a 20 percent drop in their regular business, forcing them to make cutbacks in their budgets and lay off thousands of employees.

The American economy has also felt the strong hand of terrorism. After the attacks, shopping malls and retail stores reported a drop of 20 percent in sales and the stock market suffered its worst week since the cash of 1987.

Economists are now reporting the United States is heading for a recession, if one hasn’t already begun.

What does this say about the will of the American people? Are we a nation of cowards who run and hide as soon as a threat to our safety arises?

By overcasting our nation with a cloud of fear, have we in some strange way given in to terrorism and admitted defeat?

If the answers to these question are no, Americans must return to their normal lives, life as it was before the morning of September 11.

Take this attack as a wake up call, learn to cherish the time you spend with your loved ones, because as the last two weeks has proven to us, it may be your last.

If money is the universal symbol for success, let’s show the terrorists and the world how resilient the American people really are.

Reinvest money in the stock market, buy plane tickets and a take a trip. Go shopping. In other words, revive our economy.

We must not forget the lives lost in this terrible tragedy but we must move past it.

Hold a special place in your heart for the victims, continue to pray for their families and the safety of your loved ones as they head off to war, but do not lose your self and the things you love because of fear.