Thanks, ole joyful. Wished I could say it so well. We all need to strife to do better in whatever we do.

And he's been invited to the Inauguration and has accepted. What an honor!

Wonderfully said, joyful.

I joined his fan club on Facebook.

Thank you for reminding us ole joyful. It needed to be said, and you've done so admirably.

Beautiful, OJ. Thank you.

Erin

As many of you know, I was involved in a chargeable accident something over a year ago, and, as I was over 70, our Ministry of Transportation sent me an "invitation" to take a vision, written and driving test to verify my current capability to drive safely, so as not to present danger to myself and others when I took a vehicle out on the road.

The (small) "Driver's Handbook" is available for $14.95 (plus tax) ... but ole (frugal) joyful was able to borrow a copy from the library, at no cost (or did he return it late, a time or two, subjecting himself to a minor fine?).

The vision test was O.K. for general driving - but not for the permit to drive a larger straight truck: I can have it reinstated within a year, if I can pass the vision test and I have had cataract surgery on both eyes, since).

I passed the written test.

On the first driving test, I drove too slowly and cut a turn (which was too newly opened for the lanes to have been marked) too tightly where two lanes were turning together ... the instructor jerked the steering wheel. I didn't bother telling him that I was watching the other turning car and was not near it... as I knew that my goose was cooked.

Next time, I ran a yellow light ... and hit a snowbank while turning.

Third time, last spring ... I passed. The driving instructor, a member of our church, said that I'd be good for five years now, would I ... not quite - just till Jan. 30, next week: big birthday, which requires seniors to jump through hoops.

I have to take a defensive driving training session for seniors and a written test, plus a driving test for a few, as selected by the instructor, I hear. I've been granted an extension of my permit (arrived today) ... as my assigned test date isn't to be until early April.

While I used to be somewhat watchful for my own errors on the road, I've become much more sensitive to that issue with regard to my own driving ...

... and with regard to the practices of others, as well.

Many of us haven't made a habit of brushing up on our awareness of the rules of the road from time to time (regularly??) ... and chastised ourselves sufficiently when we transgress.

In less memorable circumstances than that faced by Mr. Sullenberger the other day ... we face potentially lif-threatening situations every day ... on a smaller scale.

How well have we taken the challenge to seek for excellence in the way that we fulfill that part of our responsibilities to ourselves, our families, the community and the world?

And, if we honour Him/Her - to God?

Would we be happy to ride on an aircraft if we knew that the flight crew (if there were no regulations) were as lackadaisical about keeping their skills updated and sharp as we are with regard to our care in the operation of some of the routines of our lives?

How concerned are we to pursue excellence ... in the various seemingly-routine aspects of our daily living?

ole joyful

I was hoping that this thread would encourage some discussion and debate about the needs for all of us to develop a life based on demanding excellent performance of ourselves in our daily activities and in our relationships with others ... and the world.

Not just in the high-profile situations that Mr. Sullenberger faced, but in the routines of daily life.

ole joyful

lets not forget that while "Sully" did a wonderful job of putting that airplane down...it was THE Flight Attendants who got those people out of that sinking plane in less then 90 seconds...got them in the rafts, and stopped people from opening the back doors which would have sank them in a heartbeat...When you're sitting by the Window Exits, be prepared and read the Safety Information Card cause the persons by the Window Exits are gonna be the ones responsible for opening those exits and leading people to safety...Those passengers are heros too for opening those exits and having people stand on the wings until being picked up...It was a perfect example of experienced crew members ready for an emergency and on top of their game!

Hi Liz,

An example of my original point, it seems to me:

while the person doing the high profile, outstanding thing, gets the publicity, it's important for all of us to not be content with "good enough" in the way that we operate, but to seek excellence in all that we do ... including the seemingly routine stuff.

Who knows when that extra skills-training and effort on our part may be called upon ...

... in a life or death situation??

As I mentioned, while operating a vehicle on the highway ...

... anyone want to discuss the distractions, whether using a cell phone, painting fingernails, etc??

I'm interested to hear your views, folks.

ole joyful

has anyone recieved the email with HIS hands reaching down beneath the plane that captain sullenburger landed on the water?

Perhaps some didn't see this, earlier.

Or ... even if we did ... perhaps thinking about it again will encourage us to raise our sights somewhat when it comes to setting standards of behaviour that we expect of ourselves as we travel this road of life.

None of us knows when those standards of excellence that we've set for ourselves earlier and made an earnest attempt to fulfill may avert great suffering or tragedy ... whether for only one or two persons ... or a much larger number, some time in the future.

Mr. Sullenberger, with his crew, gave us a worthy ... a shining ... example of having done so.

ole joyful