Safe Landing of Flight 1549 Good Omen for Obama

I just finished watching a video, caught by a surveillance camera of the actual landing of Flight 1549 on the Hudson. I was amazed at just how smoothly the pilot, Capt. Chesley B. “Sully” Sullenberger, landed the commercial airliner in the Hudson River.

Beautiful.

Facing a catastrophic situation – Capt. Sully was quick to make a decision and act on it using his piloting skills resulting in minimal injuries and no loss of life. What surely could have had a devastating outcome, became the stuff of legend, heroes and inspired optimism. That, even while fearing the worst, the best can happen.

His well trained crew were also quick to seize the moment and led everyone off the plane to their safe rescue.

What makes us proud to be Americans was also shown as all those on the Hudson who could help came together, worked together and rescued all 150 passengers and 5 flight crew.

At the time, I was also watching the Obama inauguration train arriving in Washington, DC on TV.

Perhaps this extraordinary event – the remarkable safe landing and rescue of Flight 1549 is a good omen for our future.

That in spite of the catastrophe the Bush administration has created and is leaving us with, Obama will be able to seize the moment when he takes the wheel and steer us to safety.

Like the passengers of Flight 1549, we may have to endure a critical time in icy cold, and dangerous water.

Hopefully, Barack Obama will prove to be our Capt. “Sully”; his recent cabinet appointments will be his expert crew. And we, the people, seeing the need will answer the call and do whatever it takes to help salvage our country.

Ah, only three more days to go and Barack Obama will officially be our President.

Godspeed, President Obama.

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Thanksgiving, Gratitude and Hope

I’ve lived through many Thanksgiving gatherings. Some more pleasant than others. This year as I get ready to embark on this year’s Thanksgiving journey, I felt the need to think about and express the things I am truly thankful for.

I am grateful that, in spite of times that were difficult, and the many days I faltered, I continued to pursue happiness so that I am able to see that many of the small things in life are truly very large gifts.

I am grateful for my friends, who share many of my interests and, more importantly, my view of life. Who brought to my attention the Eckhart Tolle book, “A New Earth”, which was an answer to my prayers.

Thankful too that Mr. Tolle wrote the book that changed my outlook on how to live life for the better. Who allowed me to see that in the face of any difficulty – this too shall pass. For my friend who called me to watch that particular episode of Oprah’s show which led to participating in the ten week series of Oprah’s “A New Earth” webcasts along side Mr. Tolle.

I am also grateful for Oprah’s generosity in hosting this webcast for free to thousands around the world. At the beginning of each show, when we all stopped, took a deep breathe and shared those moments together was magical. A global meditation, a silent prayer of unity, an inspiration of hope. I am truly grateful that I chose to and did participate.

Some of the things I am grateful for are sometimes taken for granted. I wake up every morning safe and sound. That I have been blessed with continued good health. That I have a husband and two boys who love me even through those times I was so discouraged and depressed over not finding a job. For overlooking my many flaws and loving me in spite of the fact that I’m not the Suzy homemaker they would truly love me to be.

I am grateful that we all are in good health and we share a nice home in a good neighborhood. Many people around the world can’t say that, and I am thankful that I can, while hopeful that in the future the ills of our planet can be healed.

Grateful too, that Barack Obama won the election. I think my hope in the future would have died if the outcome had been different. I am overwhelmed by this gift of hope.

I was delighted to have re-connected with an old childhood friend this year, who also shared my enthusiasm for Obama’s campaign. I am so grateful that the friendship that developed when we were very young was never lost, and has now been found again.

Finding a place where I can share my voice is something I am so thankful for. I am truly grateful that I found Word Press who freely gives us this opportunity. So too am I grateful for one particular reader I know only as Zuy, who touched my very essence with an essay on hope that caused my shell to crack so that I could finally emerge and find my way. I will always be grateful for you.

I am grateful that the price of gas is a lot cheaper now than it was a few months – even a year ago. It makes my trip to visit my parents and siblings in another state more affordable.

While I wish my husband and boys could go along with me on this trip, I am thankful that I still have my parents and I can visit them. That we, my parents, my sisters and their families will all be together this year. Living so far away makes it difficult to see them as often as I would like, but I am hopeful that the future will bring us more happy events that bring us all altogether.

And I am grateful to our Creator, who set us upon this earth as caretakers so that we can enjoy all of His creation. All we need to do is open our eyes, our ears and our hearts to all His wonders that surround us and enjoy them more.

My wish for you dear reader, is that you have a joyous Thanksgiving Day. That you have a little more to eat than you need to and that you share your laughter with many friends and family.

Blessings to each and every one of you and your families and friends.

Juedz

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Post Election: Thoughts of the Day

I woke up this morning and something seemed different. A new sense of calm. Of right direction. Not only for myself, but as something you can feel in the air.

I continue to watch some of the news about Obama’s new administration choices and what I find remarkable is that, with few exceptions – most are positive and hopeful. Even those stations that are pro-Republicans are somewhat toned down in their viciousness.

At the moment, I’m watching the Bush family welcome the Obama’s into the White House.

One of the things I feel is that with the Obama Presidency, all of us will be in there with him. I am hopeful that what I sensed in Obama as a candidate – that he will work on behalf of us, the American citizenry – and that he will keep us informed as to what is happening will in fact be what we experience.

I wonder if anyone else senses this shift in the air? That hopefulness for the future that seems to have permeated most everyone around the globe since his election. Only time will tell if all the ills of the past which derailed our country – and our planet – can be put back on a new track for the future.

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