This is a great little story that I was sent in email. The point is how a simple reframe of our thoughts can have such a huge impact on our beliefs!
A Simple Reframe That Changes Everything
A minister I know once took a long flight across the country. Trouble announced itself early when the seat belt sign lit up. Not long after, a calm voice came over the intercom:
“We will not be serving beverages at this time. We are expecting a bit of turbulence. Please make sure your seat belt is fastened.”
As the minutes passed, tension spread through the cabin. The announcement came again, this time canceling the meal service. Turbulence still lay ahead.
Then the storm hit.
Thunder cracked loudly above the engines. Lightning sliced through the dark sky. The airplane pitched and dropped like a cork on a wild ocean—lifting on powerful currents one moment and plunging the next. Fear rippled through the cabin.
The minister later admitted that he felt the same fear as everyone else. He looked around and saw alarm on nearly every face. Many passengers wondered silently whether they would make it through the storm.
Then he noticed a little girl.
She sat calmly in her seat with her feet tucked beneath her, reading a book. The storm seemed to have no meaning for her at all. She occasionally closed her eyes, then returned to her reading. She stretched her legs and shifted slightly, but fear never entered her small world.
While the plane shook violently—while it rose and fell with frightening force and adults gripped their armrests—the child remained completely composed.
The sight amazed him.
After the plane landed and passengers rushed to disembark, the minister waited. He approached the girl and commented on the storm and the rough flight. He asked her why she hadn’t felt afraid.
She looked up and answered simply:
“Because my Daddy’s the pilot—and he’s taking me home.”
