In the aftermath of Sept. 11, many Americans took heed to the heightened security alerts and color-coded warnings, as they were asked to become more vigilant and aware of any suspicious acts of terrorism.

However, in the months since, people appear to be ignoring the warnings and in the words of President Bush, “going on with their daily lives.”

Everyone is quite aware that California, particularly L.A., is still a highly targeted area, but that does not seem to rattle the nerves of many Angelinos.

For instance, in the latest threat to blow up a prominent mall on the Westside near the Federal Building, security was beefed up and the public was warned.

Although this may have boosted fear for the thousands who are employed in the malls, it did very little to shake up the public who kept right on moving about the streets of L.A. and shopping, too.

All in all, this is good. If the American people were to allow terrorism to stop their daily lives, then they would be succumbing to the evil forces behind the terror.

But this is not to say that people should let their guards down. We still must be conscious about what goes on around us, and at the same time not be afraid to step out into the world around us.

Life is about living. It’s about sometimes taking risks and overcoming the fears that keep you from experiencing personal growth and happiness.

When you look around at many of the people who fear terrorism (and we all know them) they are generally the same ones who have never done much with their lives in the first place.

For many, life is about worrying about the things they cannot control (like someone else’s business) and trying to keep others out of harm’s way, while at the same time such joyous experiences as flying or taking a cruise is passing them by.

But on the other hand, if the Bureau of Statistics reports that 85 percent of the U.S. population is “Christian,” then there should be little to fear.

According to their Bible, one of the most familiar scriptures, Psalms 23 verse 4, says “I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.”

Simply said, if God has your back, there should be no reason for any so-called believer to have fear of terrorism or any other thing or person, for that matter.

In addition, those who claim to be believers in God or a Supreme Being should also recognize that nothing is truly in the control of humans.

This is to say that we are all part of a script that has already been written and our only mission as characters is to act out the play; therefore, what is going to happen will, and there is nothing we can do to stop it or change it.

Besides, if we really want to take a closer look at terrorism, maybe the focus should be on the American government, and all the fears it is imposing upon the general population.

With all the security alerts (which, by the way, seem to be crying wolf quite a bit), the evil acts happening in Iraq, and the changes to our Constitution, one would think these are staged to create fear and chaos among the general population, while at the same time setting the ground work for what will surely change the way we live our lives from day to day.

Overall, we must remember that terrorism alone has no power other than that which we give it; therefore, it does not stop our daily lives or activities, but we do.