We Can

“It isn't all over; everything has not been invented; the human adventure is just beginning.” -Gene Roddenberry

How much would you pay for an old pickup? Take a close look at the picture and imagine plunking down 140,000 U.S. dollars for a 1958 Chevrolet Cameo pickup truck. What if I told you it only had 1.3 miles on the odometer? That's correct, less than two miles and sat inside a building for basically fifty-five years.

Sure, it has a little bit of dust on it and the windows might need to be cleaned, but would you turn down an opportunity to own a small piece of history. Most times we only get to read about these types of things in books and old text books. It is living proof of what mankind has been able to build with the prevailing technology of their time. It might be easy to say "big deal" given what we know and have today.

But go back to the 1950's and think about those things we did not yet have.

- Cordless phones, Mobile phones, Cell phones or Home computers
- ATM's and ATM cards, you had to go to the bank or write a check
- Zip codes, believe it or not not until 1963
- VCR's, DVD's, CD's, MP3 players, iTunes or renting movies
- Cable TV, Satellite TV, even color TV was in its infancy
- Flight to the moon and the space shuttle

Now think about all the great things human innovation did come up with in the 1950s.

- First electric power from U.S. reactor,
- Introduction of Coast-to-coast TV
- Automation of the auto industry begins
- Proposed structure of DNA announced
- Solar batteries unveiled
- First supersonic flight by a military aircraft
- Vertical take-off and landing of jet aircraft
- All transistor radios introduced
- Discovery of cold fusion
- First U.S. satellites
- Stereo record technology developed

So when you look at an old 1958 Chevrolet Cameo pick up truck, with dirty windows and fading paint, think of the human innovation that went into building it. Then consider the issues we face today and know that human innovation still exists. We can solve and change the world with the dreams and innovation that exists in each of us.

We can constantly improve the world we live in. We can.

Stay inspired my friends!

History is the Judge

“Those that fail to learn from history, are doomed to repeat it.” - Winston Churchill

A few years ago I took a trip to visit the Chickamauga National Military Park in the state of Georgia. It is a somewhat forgotten piece of American Civil War history. Taking the tour of the battle fields and listening to what happened among the trees of those north Georgia hills is truly amazing. It was the last major battle that the southern Confederate forces won during our Civil War in the 1860s.

As you listen, you hear stories of courage and determination from both the northern and southern forces. The men that fought those battles died with valor for a cause that each believed in. The generals and politicians each had opposing views of what was right and just for our country.

Those differences are similar to current events and many of the same arguments can be seen. Historians still judge the events from past wars such as our own Civil War. And history will be the judge of our present day conflicts and disagreements. What we do though is continue to move forward with the decisions we make and try to learn from that history.

Your own life is a reflection of the decisions you make. Those decisions will be influenced by your own history and perception of events. Study and learn from your historical experience. You will grow and improve your life if you do.

Stay inspired my friends!