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Sully My Search For What Really Matters


Sully My Search For What Really Matters

So, you know how sometimes you’re just going through life, ticking off the boxes, doing the things you’re supposed to do? Yeah, me too. It’s like a script, right? Get the degree, get the job, get the… well, you get the picture. But then, BAM! Life throws you a curveball. Or maybe it’s not even a curveball, maybe it’s just a giant, flashing neon sign that says, “Hey, pal, are you sure this is it?”

That’s kind of where I was. Feeling… adrift. Like a tiny boat bobbing in a very large ocean, with no land in sight. And don't get me wrong, I had stuff. A decent job, a roof over my head, the usual suspects. But was I happy? Truly, deeply, stomach-flippingly happy? Not so much. More like… content. And "content" can be a sneaky trap, can't it?

It's like that feeling when you eat too much cake. You’re full, sure, but you’re not exactly thriving. You’re just… there. And I started to wonder, was I just… there? Was this the pinnacle of my existence? Because if it was, maybe I needed to hit the snooze button on life for a bit and re-evaluate. Which, let’s be honest, sounds a lot more fun than it actually is. Re-evaluating is work, people! It’s like doing your taxes, but for your soul.

Enter Sully. Not the fuzzy blue monster from Monsters, Inc., though I do have a soft spot for him. This is a different Sully. This is the Sully who, apparently, also went through a bit of a “what am I even doing here?” phase. And thank goodness for that, because his journey, his search for what really matters, resonated with me like a tuning fork to the funny bone. You know those moments? When someone says exactly what you’re thinking, but you never quite had the words for it? Yeah, that.

Sully’s whole deal, from what I gathered (and I’m paraphrasing here, because who has time for perfect recall?), was that he’d achieved a certain level of success. The kind of success that society applauds. The kind that makes your grandma beam with pride. But deep down? He felt this… emptiness. A gnawing feeling that there had to be more. More than just climbing the ladder. More than just collecting accolades. More.

And isn't that the eternal human condition? We strive, we achieve, and then we look around and go, “Okay, what now?” It’s like climbing a mountain, only to realize there are a hundred more mountains behind it. Or, you know, finally mastering that ridiculously complicated recipe, only to discover it tastes… fine. Just fine. Not life-altering, not soul-quenching, just… fine. The tragedy of "fine."

Sully : My Search for What Really Matters by Jeffrey Zaslow and Chesley
Sully : My Search for What Really Matters by Jeffrey Zaslow and Chesley

Sully’s story isn’t about ditching everything and joining a circus. Although, let’s be real, a part of me has always wondered about the allure of a sequined leotard and a trapeze. No, it’s about a more subtle, yet profound, shift. It’s about looking inward, and asking the really big, scary questions. Like, “What brings me genuine joy?” and “What impact do I want to have on the world?” These aren't questions you can answer while you’re frantically checking your emails, are they?

He talks about shedding the layers. The layers of expectation, the layers of what others think you should be. It's like peeling an onion, right? You know, that dramatic, tear-inducing process. Except instead of crying about onions, you're crying about your life choices. Still, gotta get to the core, you know?

And the core, according to Sully’s narrative, is where the real magic happens. It’s where you find what truly ignites your spirit. What makes you leap out of bed in the morning, not because you have to, but because you want to. It’s that thing that makes you lose track of time, that thing you could talk about for hours without getting bored. You know, the opposite of that awkward office small talk about the weather.

He seems to have this knack for cutting through the fluff. The superficial stuff that society bombards us with. The endless pursuit of more stuff, more likes, more validation. It’s exhausting, isn’t it? Like trying to keep up with a runaway train of consumerism and comparison. You blink, and suddenly you’re scrolling through Instagram, feeling inadequate because someone else’s avocado toast looks better than yours. The horror!

Sully: My Search for What Really Matters – StrangeBooks
Sully: My Search for What Really Matters – StrangeBooks

Sully's message felt like a breath of fresh air. A reminder that it’s okay to question the status quo. It's okay to admit that maybe, just maybe, the path you’re on isn't actually leading you where you want to go. And it’s definitely okay to take a detour. A scenic route. A U-turn, even.

He emphasizes the importance of authenticity. Being true to yourself, even when it’s not the easiest or most popular option. Imagine that! Being yourself. Revolutionary, I know. But how often do we water ourselves down to fit in? To be palatable? To avoid rocking the boat? It's like trying to fit a square peg into a round hole, but with your personality.

And the impact. Sully seems to have realized that true fulfillment often comes from contributing to something bigger than yourself. Not necessarily a world-changing invention (though, hey, if that’s your jam, go for it!), but making a positive difference in the lives of others. Even in small ways. A kind word, a helping hand, a listening ear. Sometimes, that’s the most profound thing you can do. It’s the ripple effect of goodness. Like dropping a pebble in a pond, but the pond is your community, and the ripples are… well, awesome.

It made me think about my own life. About those moments when I felt truly alive. They weren't usually when I was crunching numbers or attending boring meetings. They were when I was creating something, when I was connecting with people on a deeper level, when I was learning something new and fascinating. Those were the moments when the world seemed to… hum.

Sully: My Search for What Really Matters by Chesley B. Sullenberger
Sully: My Search for What Really Matters by Chesley B. Sullenberger

Sully’s search wasn't a one-time event. It sounds like it was an ongoing process. A journey. Because, let's face it, what "really matters" can shift and evolve over time, can't it? What mattered to me in my twenties is probably not what matters to me now. Thank goodness for evolution, both biological and personal. We can’t stay stagnant, or we’d be like those old flip phones – still functional, but definitely out of style. And a little bit sad.

He talks about purpose. Finding your why. Not just your what. Because anyone can do things. But why are you doing them? What’s the driving force? Is it money? Status? Or is it something deeper? Something that fuels your soul? This is the million-dollar question, isn’t it? Or maybe it’s the priceless question.

And the courage it takes to pursue that purpose. To be brave enough to step off the well-trodden path and forge your own. That’s not for the faint of heart. It requires a certain amount of… grit. And maybe a healthy dose of delusion. Just kidding! (Mostly.) But seriously, it takes guts to redefine success on your own terms.

It made me wonder if I’d been too afraid to look too closely. Too afraid of what I might find. Like that friend who refuses to look in their messy closet, because they know the sheer volume of forgotten clothes might overwhelm them. But eventually, you have to face the clutter, right? You have to sort through the old stuff to make room for the new.

Win 1 of 4 Double Passes to Sully, Starring Tom Hanks - HarperCollins
Win 1 of 4 Double Passes to Sully, Starring Tom Hanks - HarperCollins

Sully’s story is a gentle nudge. A whispered reminder that there's a whole world of possibilities beyond the conventional. It's an invitation to ditch the script and start writing your own. With bold letters. And maybe some glitter. Because why not?

He seemed to have discovered that true richness isn't measured in bank accounts, but in experiences, relationships, and personal growth. It’s about the quality of your life, not just the quantity of your possessions. And that, my friends, is a concept that will always resonate. Who needs another useless gadget when you can have a heart full of joy and a mind full of purpose? (Though, I’m not gonna lie, a really good coffee maker still ranks pretty high.)

So, what’s the takeaway here? For me, it’s this: don’t be afraid to ask yourself the big questions. Don’t be afraid to admit when something isn’t working. And definitely, definitely don’t be afraid to go in search of what really matters. Because when you find it, when you truly connect with your purpose and your passion, life becomes a whole lot more… vibrant. And a whole lot less like beige wallpaper. And who wants to live a beige life, anyway?

It’s about the fulfillment, the meaning. The stuff that sticks. The stuff that makes you feel like you’re actually living, not just existing. And Sully, through his own honest exploration, reminded me that that search, that brave, sometimes messy, always rewarding search, is the most important journey we can ever undertake. So, go forth, my friends. Question everything. Explore everything. And find your own version of what really matters. It’s waiting for you, I promise. Probably somewhere between a good book and a really great cup of coffee. Or maybe while you’re attempting to assemble IKEA furniture. Who knows!

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