Who Packs Your Parachute ?

Hi Readers,
I've always wanted to use this story somewhere on my blog, and after my recent post about "Gratitude' I received quite a few messages from readers who were touched by it in some way. 

So, why not strike while the iron is hot, as they say !!

I have used this with various classes that I have taught, and also with staff that I have worked with.

Read the story, and as you do, have a think about the purpose and intent behind it.

What is he thinking?

Has he lost the plot even more than usual ?

Or...

I get it !

I can see why this is relevant.

Maybe I can use it too ?

I'll leave some ideas at the end to show how I have used it with great success.

Charles Plumb was a U.S. Navy jet pilot in Vietnam. After 75 combat missions, his plane was destroyed by a surface-to-air missile. Plumb ejected and parachuted into enemy hands. He was captured and spent six years in a communist Vietnamese prison. He survived the ordeal and now speaks on the lessons learned from that experience.

One day, when Plumb and his wife were sitting in a restaurant, a man at another table came up and said, "You're Plumb! You flew jet fighters in Vietnam from the aircraft carrier Kitty Hawk. "You were shot down!" "How in the world did you know that?" asked Plumb.

"I packed your parachute," the man replied.

Plumb gasped in surprise and gratitude. The man pumped his hand and said, "I guess it worked!"

Plumb assured him, "It sure did. If your chute hadn't worked, I wouldn't be here today."

Praise what you want to flourish.

Plumb couldn't sleep that night, thinking about that man. Plumb says, "I kept wondering what he might have looked like in a Navy uniform: a white hat, a bib in the back, and bell-bottom trousers. I wonder how many times I might have seen him and not even said 'Good morning, how are you?' or anything because, you see, I was a fighter pilot and he was just a sailor."

Serve even when you are not seen in the act.

Plumb thought of the many hours the sailor had spent on a long wooden table in the bowels of the ship, carefully weaving the shrouds and folding the silks of each chute, holding in his hands each time the fate of someone he didn't know.

Who’s packing yours?

Now, Plumb asks his audience, "Who's packing your parachute?" Who has done something that has helped make your day safer – or easier or more pleasant – or who have you witnessed “packing” for someone else? Recognise them right away.

Each of us are touched by individuals who provide what we need to make it through the day. Some help inadvertently. Praise that person anyway. You are supporting the kind of behaviour you respect – making it more likely to happen again.

We all need several kinds of parachutes.

Plumb also points out that he needed many kinds of parachutes when his plane was shot down over enemy territory - he needed his physical parachute, his mental parachute, his emotional parachute, and his spiritual parachute. He called on all these supports before reaching safety.

Sometimes in the daily challenges that life gives us, we miss what is really important. We may fail to say “hello,” “please,” “thank you” or “congratulations” – looking that person full in the face, without rushing the words.

As you go through this day, take the time to recognise those who packed your parachute.

Thank you for packing mine.

Ways that I have used this...

In my classroom last year we discussed this story, and how it wasn't actually asking us to physically pack a parachute for others, but to look out for each other and do things that would just make life a little bit easier.

The focus was on not seeking acknowledgement for doing it, rather it was to become an action that could possible become a habit, and become infectious.

With the use of Post-It notes ( I use these constantly- thank you to whoever invented them!!!) we created a wall of possible actions that we could do.

These were called our RAKS, or Random Acts of Kindness.

Examples ?

So simple, and often not even noticeable.

• Putting their chair in under the table.
• Tidying up their desk
• Asking them to join in with them during recess/lunch
• Inviting them to share a book or game in class
• Making a positive comment about their work or answers in class
• Smiling as you make eye contact
• Saying good morning or goodbye, depending on the time of day
• Eating lunch with them

As I wrote in my last post, if we do things like this regularly for a period of time, we soon become conditioned to doing them naturally. Pretty soon I could see the results of this in the comments that they were receiving in their Letterboxes, on the Wanted poster, and in the Peer Muttleys.

(If this is all as clear as mud to you, then go and read my previous post)

For those of you who aren't teachers like me, this can be done just as easily in your own workplace.

What stops you from trying some little things that benefit others, and also make you feel good?

With the staff, after sharing this story, over the next day or so (while the message was still relevant) I'd leave a post-it note on their desk with a little message like:

You pack my parachute when you pop your head in the door just to say good morning.

You pack my parachute when you took that phone call for me.

You packed my parachute when you popped that coffee on my desk just when I needed one.

You packed my parachute when you took time to check on our colleague.

You just never give up.

etc.

We see and notice what others do for us and other people, but rarely do we acknowledge it. I'm not saying we have to be doing it every single time, but just when people do not expect it can be the perfect and most appropriate moment.

Being seen as the person who ALWAYS does this ALL THE TIME can have the adverse effect of losing some of the meaning.

You'll know when the time is right !!

Also, it can be totally random and anonymous. Imagine how you'd feel finding a post-it note on your desk/chair/car highlighting something someone values in you, but they remain anonymous?

The intrigue adds to the self fulfilment !!

The beauty of doing this is that it enables EVERYONE to do it.

Some people are very confident in expressing their gratitude verbally, others may be a bit shy about it. Both are fine.

This strategy enables everyone to pass on their gratitude, and they still have the opportunity to remain anonymous.

I'd love to leave a Post-it note on the desk of the man who checks QR codes at the entrance of Peter Mac Hospital 📝 (Read my last post- more blatant self promotion of my posts !!!😂 )

With what has been happening in my world over the past 6 months, and is still continuing, I am having my parachute packed constantly by family, friends and colleagues who continually send me messages, phone calls, texts and emails.

I moved away from my home town 40 years ago, but two friends in particular from there who I count as my closest are regularly ringing and contacting me just to check in and see how I am going.

They are a constant reminder why we have remained so close for so long, even though we may not see each other as much as we would like to.

Pure hearts of gold, I owe them so much.

Well Readers,

My last two posts have been a bit deeper and less light hearted than usual.

No apologies for this, I just write about what grabs me at the time (Once again, read about this in a previous post !!🤣 )

Usually when I need my think time I go for a run/ride/walk/workout, but at the moment I am pretty much housebound, with so much think time on my hands so my writing is my think time, hence the more regular posts.

My next post will hopefully bring a tear to your eye or a lump in your throat if I can get the video clip to load. It's a cracker, one of the most powerful clips I have used with students and staff.

I can't wait to use it !!!

Until my next post...

Cheers 😁

p.s If you'd like a topic covered in a post, leave a comment. I may be able to share something related to it. eg Funny experiences with cooking, travel, teaching, sport, renovations, parenting etc. I have heaps !!!