Miracle on the Hudson

Hello All...

We hope you are able to stay warm and, don't forget, drip your faucets at home while you're at work. Why? Because it keeps everything flowing, just in case! (It was 4 degrees when I looked out this morning!)

And, remember, the cold weather does a number on the body, just like the extreme summer heat does. So make sure you're hydrating and getting your rest!

I'm sure we all saw shots of the plane that had to ditch in the Hudson River in NYC yesterday. Mr. P&P travels a ton for work and I always think of that and shiver when I see this stuff.

I personally watched with rapt attention (online on Fox) of the video showing how this incredible pilot and crew brought this large plane down, safely, in the Hudson and then made sure every, single passenger got off safely. Thank God for the tug boats and ferries in the area who picked up those freezing folks (imagine being in the WATER in the weather we're having...) and got them all safely back on land. There is one picture where it looks like they are all standing ON the water when, in fact, they are all standing on the plane's wing.

While I'm not overly religious (but I do consider myself relatively spiritual), I believe that this is a miracle and is meant to teach us all something.

Is this incident to teach us all to pay attention during the safety presentation of any flight? I think not (but you still should pay attention...I always count the rows forward and behind me to the exit-though we are usually seated IN the exit row thanks to freq. flyer miles).

Is this incident to teach us to stop and think and realize how short life can truly be and to remind us of what is truly important? I think, maybe so.

Why? Well, the world is kind of spinning out of control right now with the economy and all. Folks are drifting...looking for something concrete to hold onto. I think we all feel like we need some strong footing.
Enter "Sully" and his amazing pilot skills in saving 150 passengers and his entire crew.
Enter all the folks ON the plane who didn't try and run over each other to get out and actually banded together to get everyone out safely.
Enter the tugboat and ferry captains and crews who got those folks back to shore.
Enter the EMS (and FNY and NYPD) who treated the folks once they were back on shore.
This reminds us all that there are truly good people in this world and it also reminds us that we must make every day a happy one for ourselves.
Think about those folks on that plane-they were living their lives. Some were going golfing, some were returning home after a business trip, some were going to visit family. Today they could all be gone but they're not. They each have a second chance. Look at the video of how HAPPY those folks were after they were safe. They were joyous...
Don't wait for an 'almost tragedy' to give you your second chance at a better, more fulfilling life.
Just start today, be happy.
Eat a bit healthier, move a bit more (come to class and dance with us), call a friend, find a job you love and do it, hug your kids (or dogs, cats, birds, etc.), tell the people you love how much you love them. Smile at a stranger, hold the door open for someone, let someone out in traffic...
Don't wait until you're 'bracing for impact' and seeing your life flash before your eyes and wish you'd done so much differently.
So, here's mine:
I felt, for a long time in my life, that I was UNlucky. There have been years, decades, where I thought God forgot about me. But, in the last 15 years I've realized that I am LUCKIER than most.
I have a job I love and a business partner/sister/friend to do it with.
I have 2 incredible kids in my life and, while they're not my children, I love them like they were and they love me.
I have a great husband who really is a saint and a 'kid' I love (Lilly) and I 'kid' we lost (Ally)whom I miss and love every day.
Yeah, my family's disfunctional but whose isn't?
I have a great home, a nice car and friends who are like family to me.
I have a bunch of crazy men and women who come and dance with me in class who light my life and make me laugh. (uh, that's all of you)
See? Lucky.
You're lucky too-just think about it. We all focus (me included) way too much on what we don't have in our lives.
So, after yesterday, let's all focus on what we DO have and try and live more gratefully.