I think the old saying has it backwards.
I remember when I learned to ride a bike. My younger sister and one of my younger brothers both learned before I did. We were on the street in front of the house I grew up in, with Dad pushing the bike to give me a start. I wobbled a lot at first - not going fast enough, not sure what to do with my arms and my legs - and then I had the feel of it, and everything came together, and everyone cheered.
Until then, I couldn’t ride a bike. I didn’t become able to ride, and then go do it - I rode, and then I had the ability to ride.
Those who do, can.
My great-grandfather walked a mile every day until he was 102. By taking that walk, he preserved the ability to walk - long after most people lose the ability to do anything at all.
Those who do, can.
So I urge you to go do something you can’t do yet. Study up on it, gather the tools you need, find a system that leads to it, or just jump in. My particular aim is to learn the yoga posture called peacock pose. It involves being upside-down with only your forearms and hands touching the ground. I’ve found instructions for doing it, and building up to doing it. I have the recommended props. And I’m doing the exercises that lead to it. When I do peacock pose, then I will know I can.
So may you all become more able.
Here’s to 2009 - may it bring many new solutions.
Anna
“That’s one small step for [a] man, one giant leap for mankind.”
Neil Armstrong, as he placed the first footprint on the Moon.
This issue’s Small Step for Space: Check out and share www.AIAA.org/MyStory
When did you first know? The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics is collecting videos and letters from astronauts, pilots, and engineers about when they first realized they wanted to fly. You can read and view these inspiring stories on their website, for no charge.
Pops in Space by John William and the Boston Pops
OK, it’s not a book. And it’s out of print. But there is good availability of used copies. And you know when you think about space, it’s with a John Williams soundtrack! Includes selections from Star Wars: A New Hope, The Empire Strikes Back, Superman: The Movie, and Close Encounters of the Third Kind.
“That’s one small step for [a] man, one giant leap for mankind.”
Neil Armstrong, as he placed the first footprint on the Moon.
This issue’s Small Step for Space: Make and keep a small space promise.
Here are some examples:
1. Give $5 a month to The Moon Society at http://www.moonsociety.org/
2. Make one pro-space phone call per month for a year.
3. Check http://www.space.com/spacenews/spacenews_briefs.html each week for space news.
Camouflage by Joe Haldeman
Two different aliens have come to Earth. Both are shape-changers. As they sample different aspects of human history, one comes to empathize with us. The other simply sees us as prey. When Russell Sutton’s team raises an alien artifact from deep below the sea, both aliens are drawn to the site where the team investigates. Joe Haldeman keeps the storylines clear and tense. Camouflage is a good, fast read, with solid observation of our kind and strong extrapolation of the alien viewpoints.
Hey, everyone! Happy New Year! I have high hopes for 2009. I wish you good friends, good projects, and much happiness for the year ahead.
I took an unusually long Christmas break this year. It was wonderful to spend more time with family. We spent long days visiting and doing just what was needed to maintain our lives. I had extra time to stretch, and write, and sleep, and I felt my muscles loosening. It was a very good vacation.
So, now I’m home, and faced with those things I take responsibility for. The mail continued to come in. We and our cats still want to eat. I have projects with deadlines. And I have made a commitment to myself and to you to send this newsletter on the first and third Tuesdays of the month.
Over the holiday break, I encountered people who do not treat responsibility the way I do. One was irresponsible, one had trouble trusting that I would keep my word. I have almost forgotten that the option of not keeping my word exists. It does. I could invoke the awesome power of flakiness, and decide not to do any of a number of actions I have committed to. There would be a kind of freedom in that.
And there is a better freedom in being responsible. Because I have kept my word over the years, I have gathered trust. I have the association of other responsible people, and I have a good credit rating. I can do business without the heavy weight of lawyers and other systems to assure everyone plays fair.
If I were irresponsible, I would progressively lose the freedom to take actions that require other people’s trust. It’s not worth it to me to break my word.
So here’s today’s newsletter, with all my best wishes.
Anna Paradox