I'd like to start by saying that I debated heavily about writing this post. I really can't stand when people or companies take a tragedy or sacred event and use it for their own purposes - especially for aggrandized marketing and self-promotion. And that is the last thing I want this post to be. Instead, I want this to be a chance to think critically about the world we live in and the way in which social media has changed that.

Another reason that it was hard for me to write this post is because, to me, the tragedy of 9/11 is like a sacred event that you just don't mess with. I have always respected those who have fought in historical wars and taken my time to pay respect. I have always worn my poppy on Remembrance Day, gone to the parades to commemorate vets, and reflected solemnly on Veteran's Day. I have even been to the beaches of Normandy and seen the graveyards full of crosses, the bunkers destroyed by war, and the quiet chill that hangs overhead. And as profound as that experience was, that wasn't my war. That wasn't my generation's tragedy.

But September 11, 2001 was our tragic experience. I remember exactly where I was on the morning of the 11th. I remember exactly what I did that day and how I felt. I remember the phone calls to family to check on family living in New York City. And I sincerely hope and pray that I never lose those memories and feelings. Because they changed me, they made this real.

My husband and I had the opportunity to visit a 9/11 memorial on display in San Diego yesterday. The rush of emotions was almost too much for me. Tears touched my eyes more than a few times as we explored the exhibit. It was a once in a lifetime experience to see these pieces of history. Until you've touched a piece of the World Trade Towers or stood at ground zero (which I hope to do someday), I don't think you can grasp the wave of emotions that roll over you.

The emotions ranged from sadness to respect, from fear to triumph, from sickness to comfort.

Here are some of the photos I took from the tribute memorial. It really was a beautiful to commemorate NYC and the heroes and victims from that day.

We have come so far in the years since this awful tragedy. And while I hope and pray that nothing of this tragic magnitude ever touches any of us ever again, the sad reality is that it very well may.

And as my husband and I walked through the memorial exhibit, we began to talk about how different that tragedy would have been had it happened in a world dominated by smartphones and social media.

We've all heard recordings of phone calls from people inside the towers - calling either to say they were ok or to say goodbye. We've heard the heroism of the passengers aboard Flight 77 who were determined to overtake the hijackers. We've seen videos and photos of the planes, the chaos, and the aftermath.

But imagine a world of social media. Imagine Twitter overrun with updates, posts, details, pictures, and videos. Imagine Instagram feeds full of images of the tragedy. Facebook updates would be nearly 100% related to the tragedy.

My husband's point was that in a world of instant updates, we are quicker to react. Chances are more people would have been aware of the severity of the situation and chosen to evacuate the towers rather than staying in their offices. When things happen now, everyone knows it and everyone is ready to react. We aren't sheltered from the reality by media outlets determining the speed with which to release information.

The latest recent tragedy that comes to my mind was the Boston bombing at the marathon. Instantly, the world had more news at their fingertips than the mainstream media could have ever provided. But people were also quick to rush to opinions - and you know if you read it on the internet, it must be true... And so, incorrect theories spread quickly. People were scrambling to make heads or tails of the situation.

But, much like the Boston bombings, I think people feel empowered through social media. The flood of information leaves them with a sense of understanding and knowledge that allows them to make decisive action. Unlike many of us, who on 9/11 sat and stared at our TVs, people were rallying and initiating action immediately in response to Boston.

And while Boston was tragic and horrible, it wasn't on the mass scale of an event like 9/11. It's hard for me to imagine what the social media updates would have looked like after 9/11. While it would have been easier to get more information faster, verify loved ones' safety, and even assist in rescue and recovery efforts, I can't imagine how we would have digested the flood of photos.

And imagine the intensity of those photos. One advantage of the lack of social media 12 years ago, was that the media was able to shield us from a lot of the graphic images and overwhelming reality that was happening. It was already intense and scarring - imagine if we were seeing live time photos of the death and disaster - unfiltered.

I only bring this up because I hope that people will be smart, in any photos they take of anything in life, and think about the public venues on which they share this material. Children are seeing your photos and they don't need to see all that. Especially in the event of tragedy, censor your photos and share them if and when it's appropriate. People have become more concerned with being the first to tweet something or with the number of shares their posts get. They are fighting for attention and not thinking about the invasion of respect that their photos cause.

We see the memes all the time about someone photographing someone before helping them. Please remember, that you are a human first, not a photo journalist. Stand up and help someone, get out of the way of rescuers, or get yourself to safety before you start tweeting, posting, and taking photos of the events around you. In the time it takes to snap those photos, you could have pulled debris off a co-worker. In the time it takes to post that tweet, a falling beam could hit you.

To be honest, I fear a tragedy of the magnitude of 9/11 happening in our social media driven world. And, while I obviously fear it for all the safety reasons, the imminent injuries and death, and the destruction it would leave behind, I also fear it because of the raw, over shared exposure our children and victims' families would have to endure.

I don't say this to be grim, I say this to be realistic. I say this because this is the world we live in. I say this because I feel too often, people don't say what they should.

If you agree with me and my perspective, then I invite you to share this post. If you disagree, you are welcome to share your thoughts in the comments below and tell me why.