that It’s possible to stay calm even in the midst of crisis.
This week a US Airways jet was ditched in the Hudson River in New York City after bird strikes knocked out both engines.
The plane landed and stayed afloat long enough for everyone to get out. Help came from every direction. Everyone survived. This was a first.
Capt. “Sully” is being hailed a hero and the incident a miracle.
As I watched the news I couldn’t help being struck by how symbolically loaded the incident was—the disabled plane (the American Dream), the river (water = emotions), the location (NYC – a global financial center) for starters. What can I say…I’m prone to looking for deeper meaning in these kinds of incidents. I can’t help myself.
My take on it: Capt. Sully showed us that it’s possible to keep ourselves above water—above the emotional turmoil of life—and stay clear and present and resourceful in the direst circumstances. (Does the current economic meltdown come to mind?)
I know he had years of experience under his belt. But I suspect it was his ability to remain cool under pressure and calm in the midst of crisis that saved the day…and everyone on board.
This pilot did far more than save a plane full of people this week. He showed the world what is possible. And to me that’s what makes him a hero and what he did a miracle!
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