Okay…here’s something special.
Yesterday afternoon, while sitting around a table we’d set by our fireplace with a family friend and my daughter (while my other kids were nearby playing with some early Christmas gifts and my wife Rachelle was nursing our youngest Benen for a nap), I read the article below from Jerry Clark
Though this was written several years ago, I just “discovered” it on Jerry’s Homepage, and as soon as I finished reading the final quote in the “P.S.” a few minutes later, I looked up and exclaimed “Whoa!”
I looked over at our friend Pat and told her I had something special to read everyone when Rachelle came back into the room.
Shortly after, I shared the story with my family around the table. Later I shared the two amazing quotes Jerry includes in the article with extended family over the phone.
Whatever you’re doing right now, STOP…
Take 3 minutes and read the article below…and be sure to catch the 2 astronaut quotes, including the one in the P.S. at the bottom.
Here’s to doing what you love…
Dr. Ben
RHINO TIP #061
DO WHAT YOU LOVE!
February 1st, 2003 I kept getting phone calls, “Jerry, have you heard about what happened to the Space Shuttle? Jerry isn’t it terrible that the Columbia Space Shuttle exploded? Jerry, the Space Shuttle blew up over Texas. Jerry, isn’t it a shame that those Astronauts died in that Space Shuttle Disaster?” And on and on…
Since people know that I don’t watch TV, they decide to call and tell me when something really bad happens…
Well, it’s been over a week since the Columbia Space Shuttle Tragedy and I have been thinking about what one of the people asked me every day now since February 1st… “Jerry, isn’t it a shame that those Astronauts died in that Space Shuttle Disaster.”
Thinking about this question led me to learn more about the Seven Astronauts that were on board the Columbia Space Shuttle… I learned a lot about the lives of 45 year old Mission Commander Rick Husband, 41 year old Pilot William McCool, 48 year old Payload Specialist Ilan Ramon, 41 year old Mission Specialist Kalpana Chawla, 46 year old Mission Specialist David Brown, 43 year old Payload Commander Michael Anderson, and 41 year old Mission Specialist Laurel Clark…
As I learned more and more about these seven individuals, the more I thought about that question that was asked of me… “Jerry, isn’t it a shame that those Astronauts died in that Space Shuttle Disaster.”
Of course I was touched and saddened by the entire situation that happened, however, I soon realized that these Seven Astronauts were doing something that they loved with a passion… This had been there lifelong dream… They looked up at the Stars as children and had visions of the possibilities… They invested the better part of their lives just preparing for the opportunity to be selected to go on such a mission… They were definite about what they wanted to do with their lives and they were committed to making it happen…
Did they realize the possibility of failure? Well, they were some of the most intelligent people on the planet, so of course they knew about the risks and the possibility of failure… However, they also knew of the possibility of success and the rewards of personal fulfillment and inner peace that comes with the accomplishment of something that you feel is your mission or purpose or destiny in life… And they were willing to put everything on the line and go for it… So the more I thought about that question I was asked, “Jerry, isn’t it a shame that those Astronauts died in that Space Shuttle.” The more I answered to myself, “NO,” it isn’t a shame…
The shame is in the Millions of people who die in the confines of their own fears… The shame is in the Millions of people who never take a chance at living out their dreams… The shame is in the Millions of people who quietly submit to a life of misery and mediocrity… The shame is in the Millions of people whom “Softly Tip-Toe through life trying to arrive at their graves’ safely.” That’s the shame… There’s no shame in doing something that’s constructive, creative, and that makes a contribution to the rest of the World…
Not going for your dreams… Not doing what you love… Not making a difference… That’s the shame… Martin Luther King, Jr. once said, “If you haven’t found something you are willing to die for, you aren’t fit to live.”
One of the Astronauts – David Brown – was asked before the Columbia took off, “What if something went wrong and you didn’t make it back?” David answered, “I want you to find that person that made the mistake, and I want you to tell that person that I hold no animosity… I died doing what I loved.” Ladies and Gentlemen… That’s not a shame… That’s beautiful…
My Question to You is this: When your life comes to an end (yes, you can’t get out of life alive)… Will you have been brave enough to… Do What You Love?
Jerry “DRhino” Clark
Go, Go, Go!!!
P.S. I Salute the Seven Brave Souls Who Partook in The Columbia Space Shuttle Mission… And as Michael Anderson (one of only 7 African American Astronauts at NASA and who was in the Columbia Space Shuttle when it exploded on Feb. 1st, 2003) said when he was asked what if the shuttle didn’t come back… “Don’t worry about me. I’m just going higher.”
(c) 2003, Jerry L. Clark – All World-Wide Rights Reserved
For excellent aricles and resources like this one, be sure to visit Jerry’s site at:
December 30, 2007 at 8:22 pm
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