We recently watched the movie Apollo 13 that stars Tom Hanks…based upon the true story of the NASA mission. When everything hits the fan and they realize the mission will not be completed, one of the NASA team members says, “This is going to be the most embarrassing moment in our history.” The flight commander corrects him and firmly and confidently replies, “I think this is going to be our finest hour.”
The team of people who solved complex issues and overcame all obstacles did not accept failure as an option…even though all the data was pointing to losing their astronauts. Those men returned home, and the mission went down in history as the “most successful failed mission.” The team’s goal of landing on the moon was replaced with simply surviving…making it back home to their families.
During the tough times we are facing individually and collectively, we have a choice on how we will respond. Will we look upon our challenges as the worst of times or will we decide that this may indeed be the opportunity for the best in each of us to shine brightly?
My husband has faced some incredible obstacles and major storms as a commercial fisherman. He chronicles his high-adventure stories and shares his lessons learned in his book, Lessons from the Sea.
