Thank you NASA!

[Canarybird]

I've just been inspired to write this and share. It's probably very basic stuff for most of you, but something has just clicked with me. Apologies for length and lack of style, it's just my unedited, free-flowing thoughts.

Wow, how inspirational is space travel.

I’m just watching Nasa TV right now, the space shuttle is preparing to re-enter the earth’s atmosphere safely, a whole team of people enabling this to happen.

I can’t help but think, imagine the dream that went into this, impossible people thought, nobody will go into space, nobody will design a reusable spacecraft. But it happened thanks to people dreaming big and having the desire and motivation to go for it, despite the negative comments of those around. And the team of people are pulling together for the same aim, people’s lives are at risk, the crew are relying on each other and the ground crew to get them back to earth safely.

If someone can dream big enough to get people into space and make it happen, then I sure as damn it can clean my apartment, finish marking those papers, write the first chapter on the novel I’ve been dreaming about for years, put my bank statements in order, lose 20 pounds. It makes my dreams seem so easy in comparison. But if you listen to what the ground crew and the shuttle are actually doing, they are working their way through a checklist. Step by step. Bit by bit. Eating the elephant one bite at a time. Getting people to and from space is not that big a deal if you do it one step at a time. Basic PD stuff I know, but it suddenly has new focus for me.

If people are relying on you, it’s often more motivational to get things done. You get that report finished for your boss. You arrive at school on time to pick up the kids. Dinner is ready at the usual time. But what if no one is relying on you to write that novel? Publishers won’t thank you for adding to their slush pile. What if no one is relying on you to clean the apartment if you live alone? What if no one is relying on you to lose weight and get healthy?

I am relying on me, that’s who. Future me. Tomorrow’s me is relying on me to clean the apartment so she can relax and enjoy her Sunday, go to the beach, watch a movie, have some me time. Me five years from now is relying on me to get that damn novel started so she can be free from the 9 to 5 and indulge in my passion full time. 80 year old me is relying on me to get fit and healthy and stay that way so she is still active and enjoying life.

In the meantime, thank you mission control for the continuous countdown to the landing, it’s giving me the countdown to finish cleaning so I can sit and enjoy the miraculous spectacle of the space shuttle landing. And tomorrow's me is packing her beach bag…

[Thur]

Hi there Canarybird! Strange isn't it? We always are ready to do stuff for other people, but when it comes to our own goals, we tend to be less strict... Where do you think it comes from? Because we like to be perceived as nice? This thought really occupies my mind from time to time. Does it mean our (social) upbringing is so strong, we forget about ourselves?? Really strange.

But I liked your metaphore! It really is a story I can use in my day to day life. Use a checklist and make sure I can get to space and back in one piece! Thanks for your contribution.

[Stu]

I tend to do the same thing. I get all caught up in how difficult my goals are and then I hear about someone who has not only made a goal far more amazing than mine but has accomplished it too.

Kind of like motivation through shame I guess. Still, if it works it works

[moriez]

Originally Posted by Canarybird

I've just been inspired to write this and share. It's probably very basic stuff for most of you, but something has just clicked with me. Apologies for length and lack of style, it's just my unedited, free-flowing thoughts.

Wow, how inspirational is space travel.

I’m just watching Nasa TV right now, the space shuttle is preparing to re-enter the earth’s atmosphere safely, a whole team of people enabling this to happen.

I can’t help but think, imagine the dream that went into this, impossible people thought, nobody will go into space, nobody will design a reusable spacecraft. But it happened thanks to people dreaming big and having the desire and motivation to go for it, despite the negative comments of those around. And the team of people are pulling together for the same aim, people’s lives are at risk, the crew are relying on each other and the ground crew to get them back to earth safely.

If someone can dream big enough to get people into space and make it happen, then I sure as damn it can clean my apartment, finish marking those papers, write the first chapter on the novel I’ve been dreaming about for years, put my bank statements in order, lose 20 pounds. It makes my dreams seem so easy in comparison. But if you listen to what the ground crew and the shuttle are actually doing, they are working their way through a checklist. Step by step. Bit by bit. Eating the elephant one bite at a time. Getting people to and from space is not that big a deal if you do it one step at a time. Basic PD stuff I know, but it suddenly has new focus for me.

If people are relying on you, it’s often more motivational to get things done. You get that report finished for your boss. You arrive at school on time to pick up the kids. Dinner is ready at the usual time. But what if no one is relying on you to write that novel? Publishers won’t thank you for adding to their slush pile. What if no one is relying on you to clean the apartment if you live alone? What if no one is relying on you to lose weight and get healthy?

I am relying on me, that’s who. Future me. Tomorrow’s me is relying on me to clean the apartment so she can relax and enjoy her Sunday, go to the beach, watch a movie, have some me time. Me five years from now is relying on me to get that damn novel started so she can be free from the 9 to 5 and indulge in my passion full time. 80 year old me is relying on me to get fit and healthy and stay that way so she is still active and enjoying life.

In the meantime, thank you mission control for the continuous countdown to the landing, it’s giving me the countdown to finish cleaning so I can sit and enjoy the miraculous spectacle of the space shuttle landing. And tomorrow's me is packing her beach bag…

I really like the way you think and wrote about this! Sounds like a new start. Keep working on those things that you want to achieve. Slowly but surely is the way. Goodluck