WHAT IF...

January 15, 2009

US Airways Flight 1549 

Have you ever wondered what thoughts went through the 155 passengers' minds as Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger guided his airplane onto the waters of the Hudson River?

Ric Elias had a front-row seat to the day's proceedings - he was located in seat 1D within a direct line of sight to the flight attendants. In this TED Talk, Elias shares three thoughts that went through his mind as Sullenberger unemotionally said, "Brace for impact."

Elias' three lessons:

1. Live life fully: stop putting off "living."
2. Focus on relationships. The one regret that went through his mind was the times he wasted in things that did not matter with people that did matter.
3. Be a better parent. As he braced for impact, the thought going through his head was to see his kids grow up. As a result, he resolved to be a better dad.

My take-away from this video is to live life consciously.

If you were facing imminent death, what would you "stop" doing and "start" doing?

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