This day in history…
20th July, 1969,
“At 10:56 p.m. EDT, American astronaut Neil Armstrong, 240,000 miles from Earth, speaks these words to more than a billion people listening at home:
“That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.”
Stepping off the lunar landing module Eagle, Armstrong became the first human to walk on the surface of the moon.”
However, Snopes, reports that Neil, his one incredible opportunity, which, incidentally I grew up believing he just came out with it, flubs his well rehearsed opening one liner.
In my mind when I was looking at events in history or in the present moment to inspire my writing today, as I take ‘one small step back’ into ‘business life’ and joining in, and I focused in on this, and I remembered watching with my family and thinking, wow, 240,000 miles from Earth and we can receive a transmission… wow, human beings travelled that distance and landed on my moon, they survived, they flew that thing! This is incredible. So many things, other than, did he get it right?
Now I wonder, how many hours did he sit there thinking, must get this right, I’m on soon, this is my moment to impress the world, this is MY moment, where’s my business card? Did we forget to bring the flag? (No pressure, Neil!)
It would be really wonderful if we saw the likes of something as significant and awe inspiring as the Moon landing in our history again. But let’s bring it down to a local level. Each and every day we as individuals are given opportunities to make ‘one small step’, and I’m pretty sure, I’m much like any of you, wanting to rehearse and get it right. At the end of the day though, I miss many opportunities because of this need to be perfect, I simply end up turning back round and walking away. Now, I guess, Neil couldn’t really do that. Well, I suppose he could have bottled out and said, Buzz, you do it, I’ve got stage fright. Nahhh. What’s important is that Neil, went down those steps to enjoy the first walk on the moon and say what he did.
I know if it were me, I’d be busy making sure my hair was just right (for me – it’s never right, as in ‘just right’). I’d be tottering on those steps scared I’d fall off, like a catwalk model just doing the final twirl and awkwardly falling over the side of my badly placed heel. I’d probably want to take a ‘selfie’ and post it on Facebook. What would I say? I’d probably cry a little, giggle a lot, definitely want to say something so astounding I could see heads nodding in approval, and more than likely I’d just say. Wow, gosh, oh my! And I’d definitely be ‘miffed’ I forgot to sing a song.
So as I sit here today, supposed to be thinking about, how do I sell myself to you? I am instead thinking, here I am, hello again, I hope today brings you good moments, small steps and a sense of opportunity around every corner. No rehearsing necessary.
By the way, I’d love to help you out on that journey, whether it be providing you with a CV, typing your first novel, audio transcribing your interviews/conferences, updating your website/blog/Facebook presence, phoning your prospective clients and booking an appointment, maintaining a diary, emailing on your behalf and so many other services, please, do get in touch.
I have now relocated to Cardenden, I am still able to provide you with the very best service, remotely worldwide, and within Fife/Edinburgh region for as many or as little hours as you require. Please check out my new website, Secfinder.com, this is my Small Step. I will now be expanding the Business Card Web Directory to Fife rather than only Dunfermline (It’s still very much a project in hand that got put on the back burner while life showed me how to become an expert trapeze artist juggling eggs with one hand tied behind my back – no, I’m sorry, you can’t hire me to do this for you). If you wish to include your Business Card, again, please get in touch.
I look forward to many new ventures from the beginning of August and will be updating this page with offers from time to time.