The spirit of America

One of the inspiring stories of 9-11-01 was United 93.
This was the flight that did not reach its target.
We don’t know if it was the Capitol or the White House.
But we do know brave Americans on board prevented it.



United 93 was flying from Newark to San Francisco.
Four hijackers stormed the cockpit and took control.
They commanded passengers to remain calm.
With a bomb on board, they were returning to Newark.
Passengers began calling home on their cell phones.
Their loved ones told them about the World Trade Center.
Passengers quickly concluded this was a suicide mission.



Todd Beamer and others decided to retake control.
They stormed the cockpit, forcing the hijackers’ hands.
The Boeing 757 flipped over and crashed.
It landed in a reclaimed Pennsylvania strip mine.
All on board lost their lives in the battle for control.
But they undoubtedly prevented many more deaths.



What makes this special is the spirit they showed.
The hijackers were not to complete their deadly mission.
I like to think of this as the “spirit of America”.
We are a free people and we want all people to be free.
We willingly shoulder many others’ burdens.
To those whom much is given, much is expected.



There are thousands of such 9-11 stories of bravery.
You undoubtedly know many of them yourself.
I invite you to share at least one of them with us.
We will publish a commemorative edition September 8.
We will publish your story in it and email you a copy
Email your story to chronicleads@windstream.net
Attach your photo if you want us to publish it, too.



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Watch what you say

Last time we talked about your two most valuable assets.
Today we’ll talk about the impact our words can have.
I met Carol Riordan more than 20 years ago.
Carol was a young editor at the Capitol Times in Madison, Wisc.
I was visiting as a writing and editing coach at her newspaper.
The other day Carol dropped me a note with this postscript:
"You gave me kudos for a headline — ‘Autumn Gold’.
"I’ve never forgotten that moment! It meant the world to me."
Carol has gone on to the American Press Institute.
In her role, she teaches other editors to become their best.
I remember when I was a young editor in North Carolina.
Our managing editor was a gruff, no-nonsense kind of leader.
He would demand to know who wrote a specific headline.
I would self-consciously admit it, expecting to get bawled out.
"Good headline," he would say and stalk back to his desk.
I could go for a week on those two words of praise.
We never know how much a few words can mean to others.
At this time of year, remember those who encouraged you.
Pay it back by encouraging others to become their best.
If you’re in sales, find a way to compliment your clients.
If you’re a leader, find things to praise instead of finding fault.
Words have power to inspire, to light a fire in others.
By the way, you’re invited to our holiday drop-in.
Drop by our Lexington newspaper office Saturday 1-4 p.m.
Pick up some Christmas cheer and a copy of my latest book.
If you need directions, call me at 803-331-6695.
For more on motivation, click here.