Do you Believe in miracles?
They called it a miracle. But was it really?
On January 15, 2009, the sun rose like any other day, and 155 people awoke, packed their bags, said their good-byes, and headed to the airport expecting nothing unusual.
Minutes later the plane raced down the runway and became airborne. Only ninety seconds into the flight, the pilot noticed an unexpected obstacle. Or more accurately, unexpected obstacles.
KISS ROUTINE GOOD-BYE
Birds suddenly filled his view. Lots of birds. Lots of big birds.
In his book Highest Duty, Captain Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger explains that the Canada geese with six-foot wingspans, weighing eight to eighteen pounds each, sounded like large hail pelting the plane. Moments later he felt what every pilot fears—double engine failure resulting from a brutal bird strike.
The plane lost thrust and, given its low speed and low altitude over New York City, one of the most densely populated areas on the planet, Captain Sully knew he sat front and center in a seriously challenging situation.
YOUR DEFINING MOMENT AWAITS YOU
We all have at least one defining moment in our lifetime. Many of us have a handful more. You can’t predict them. And you can’t create them—at least not easily.
Through a series of events he couldn’t avoid, Captain Sully faced his defining moment. Life happened and he didn’t have time for anything except an immediate response. But this is precisely what made Captain Sully a hero.
Many dismiss January 15, 2009 as a fluke or an example of luck in its purest form. Media referred to the whole experience as the “Miracle on the Hudson.”
For the record, I do believe in miracles. But it wasn’t a miracle. Rather, this successful emergency landing on the Hudson River resulted from a series of decisions determined long before that January day.
Captain Sully told CBS news anchor Katie Couric why:
“For 42 years, I’ve been making small, regular deposits in this bank of experience: education and training. And on January 15 the balance was sufficient so that I could make a very large withdrawal.”
Sully’s secret was simple. He was ready for that unforeseen emergency. He had mastered the art of flying glider planes, before his life—and the lives of 154 other people—depended on it. He knew Life had an uncanny ability of revealing people. And he wasn’t about to let that revelation spring up on him. Sully used the present to prepare for the future.
DON’T WAIT FOR A MIRACLE IN YOUR LIFE
Successful people don’t sit around waiting for their miracle to fall from the sky. Instead they go out and make their miracle happen everyday with intentional effort.
If you do this, brace yourself though. Many will attribute your success to luck and chance. They don’t see the small regular deposits you make. And they’d rather accept the lie that you’re lucky and they’re not.
It’s an easier pill to swallow. Society prefers this myth because then it can blame lack of success on lack of luck—rather than lack of effort.
Good thing, Sully didn’t wait for a miracle. January 15th proves that sometimes God chooses to use prepared people too.
One of my mentors, John Maxwell exemplifies this. Although he could rest on his success as one of the most renown communicators, still he always prepares—even for the same talk he’s given 100 times before.
At one recent live event, John told us coaches he does this because every audience is worth it. I guess John is prepared for anything—even a bird strike.
Do you believe experts should take time to prepare?
About the Author
Kary Oberbrunner left his day job to pursue his dream job—Igniting Souls.
Through his writing, speaking, and coaching, he helps individuals and organizations clarify who they are, why they are here, and where they should invest their time and energy.
The author of several books, Kary also serves as a founding partner on the John Maxwell Team.
Contact Kary at: http://www.johncmaxwellgroup.com/karyoberbrunner/