Volume XXIII, Number 22 (Issue 1131) | June 2, 2025
Is the “How” Standing in the Way of Your Dreams?
Let me tell you a story centered around the following series of events.
November 8, 1960 – John F. Kennedy is elected President of the United States.
January 20, 1961 – John F. Kennedy is sworn in as the 37th President of the United States.
January 30, 1961 – John F. Kennedy delivers his first State of the Union address.
May 25, 1961 – John F. Kennedy delivers his second State of the Union address which includes the following statement: “I believe that this nation should commit itself to achieving the goal, before this decade is out, of landing a man on the moon and returning him safely to the Earth.”
September 12, 1962 – John F. Kennedy delivers the Commencement Address at Rice University where he states, “We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard.”
November 18, 1963 – Bell Labs introduces the push button telephone.
November 22, 1963 – John F. Kennedy is assassinated in Dallas, TX.
January 27, 1967 – A flash fire during a pre-flight test at the Launch Pad 34 Complex at Kennedy Space Center takes the lives of Apollo 1 astronauts Gus Grisson, Ed White, and Roger Chaffee.
July 16, 1969 – The Apollo 11 mission takes off from Kennedy Space Center bound for the moon.
July 20, 1969 – The Apollo 11 lunar module lands on the surface of the moon.
July 24, 1969 – The Apollo 11 capsule splashes down safely in the Pacific Ocean.
Examining this timeline, think about what and how much was accomplished in the relatively short span of eight years and two months. Now understand little if any of the “how” existed on May 25, 1961. In fact, on that date, something as basic as the push button telephone did not exist. However, President Kennedy had a vision which he shared with the nation, first on May 25, 1961, and then reinforced so eloquently before a crowd of college students on September 12, 1962. And, despite a horrible, catastrophic setback to the space program that occurred on January 27, 1967 – one that claimed the lives of three brave space pioneers, Kennedy’s vision was achieved in the latter days of July 1969. Though he did not live to see it, that audacious goal was realized thanks to the incredible work and creativity of tens of thousands of highly skilled and resolute individuals located in places like Houston, TX, Huntsville, AL, White Sands, NM, and the Kennedy Space Center, FL.
Now, consider where we might be if Kennedy, Congress, and all those involved along the way allowed the lack of knowledge of the “how?” and/or some big-time setbacks to get in the way. Sadly, far too many organizations and individuals get bogged down by the lack of clarity surrounding the “how” before they can ever go on record with an audacious (read: moon shot) vision. Imagine, if you can, all the opportunities lost as a result.
Soli Deo Gloria
“Jesus said to him, ‘Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen me and yet have come to believe.’” John 20:29
J. Keith Hughey
Mobile: (210)260-0955
E-mail: keith@jkeithhughey.com
Website: www.jkeithhughey.com
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Copyright 2025 by J. Keith Hughey. All rights reserved. Permission is hereby granted for reproduction and redistribution of this essay as provided under the copyright laws of the United States of America. Recent issues of Musings may be found at www.jkeithhughey.com. Your comments are always welcome.