To what extent do you believe that one can exert control over their destiny?

Maybe you believe what happens is going to happen — it’s just a matter of fate. Many experts believe that we can exert much control about what’s going to happen, so let’s explore that line of thought.

The amount of control we believe we have over our life has a great deal to do with what we are willing to try, and therefore it also has a great deal to do with what we accomplish. In other words our internal belief system has a direct impact on our future.

On May 28, 2002, a vintage Boeing 307 Stratoliner passenger plane (one of only 10 built) was forced to ditch in Elliott Bay in West Seattle. Some controversy surrounded the actual root cause of the accident involving the recently rebuilt aircraft. It appears it ran out of fuel, but that’s not the focus of the example to make the point. On approach to Boeing Field, the pilot, Capt. Richard K. “Buzz” Nelson and his three-person crew on this test flight realized the right side landing gear was not down. They manually lowered the landing gear, and locked it in place. Then, the engines shut down, completely. Landing at Boeing Field was impossible, as were the highway or city streets. The only option was to set this 33,000-pound plane down on the water — with no power from the engines. If you've seen the video, you know the pilot avoided all obstacles, and made one of the sweetest landings ever seen. The crew escaped without getting their feet wet!

Granted, this pilot and the other three individuals on the plane were highly trained professionals. However, if the pilot hadn't believed he had control over his own life, and the situation in which he found himself, the outcome would have been far worse. Dozens upon dozens of people would have died and been injured, along with incredible loss of property.

So if you are feeling helpless and victimized, take heart and take action — any action you can manage that will get you moving in the direction you want to go. By the way, the plane, which was bound for the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum Annex at Dulles, finally made it there — on a flatbed train car!

Think about it …