Why JFK wanted us to “Go to the Moon.” - Executive Coaching

“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…because that goal will serve to organize and measure the best of our energy and skills.”

~ John F. Kennedy, September 12, 1962

President John F. Kennedy said the above quote and though we went to the moon in 1969, the bigger accomplishment was telling we have the power to do things and we are capable of wielding that power. Today, knowing we have that power can help us survive the economic downturn.

We are not powerless. Americans throughout history have faced challenges that would seem impossible by today’s seemingly weakened standards. The United States of America has survived national challenges because Americans are used to surviving personal challenges. In this way, we are one with our country. It takes a unique determination to stand up and fight for success so let’s get started. Let’s say, “I will succeed” and together, America will succeed with faith, hope and love.

The 21st Century began with the dot com crash and the 20th Century held World Wars, Vietnam and the resignation of President Richard M. Nixon. In the 19th Century young America suffered through Civil War and the 18th Century our country was born. Throughout 200 years love, passion and deep seeded patriotism held our country together. We had a belief that what we were loving was worth fighting and dying for. Where is that passion today? A mere recession seems to make saying “I love America” so difficult but America has been much harder to love in her past (and we loved her anyway).

President Ronald Regan once said, “The hope of the world rests with America’s future. America’s future rests with us.” Bill Clinton said once, “There is nothing wrong with America that cannot be cured by what is right with America.” Our political leaders have always reflected the kind of confidence that’s carried us through challenge recognizing our past and our honoring our future. There leadership is a form of Patriotic Development TM.

In President Kennedy’s inaugural speech he said, “Since this country was founded, each generation of Americans, has been summoned to give testimony to its national loyalty…now the trumpet summons us again.” In 2009 the trumpet is sounding asking us to stand up not just for ourselves sake, but for the sake of our country. Let us heed our nation’s call.

Why JFK wanted us to “Go to the Moon.” - Emotional Intelligence Competencies

“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…because that goal will serve to organize and measure the best of our energy and skills.”

~ John F. Kennedy, September 12, 1962

Are we capable of surviving the economic downturn of 2008 (and so far 2009)? Yes says President John F. Kennedy in his speech from the early 60s. By 1969 we went to the moon because we were capable of wielding a power that has carried us through our tough United States History. Just what are we United States citizens and residents able to do? Anything!

Unfortunately, sometimes we feel so inadequate are on our own that we don’t even consider our history. The United States of America has had a history of overcoming challenges since its inception in the 18th Century. But how can we make an impact? How can we express our patriotism and personal courage in the 21st Century? Saying you love your country is kind of awkward. It’s like saying, “I love you Dad.” Who knows how your Dad would respond to that?! Maybe he’d make fun of you or maybe get entirely too mushy (even worse). But sometimes, you just have to say, “I love you Dad.” When my Dad got sick, I told him I loved him. When he got deathly ill, I said it again; just to make sure he had heard me. We shouldn’t have to wait until our country is deathly ill, or losing the values we’ve fought for before we can voice our patriotism and say “I love the United States of America.”

The 21st Century began with the dot com crash and the 20th Century held World Wars, Vietnam and the resignation of President Richard M. Nixon. In the 19th Century young America suffered through Civil War and the 18th Century our country was born. Throughout 200 years love, passion and deep seeded patriotism held our country together. We had a belief that what we were loving was worth fighting and dying for. Where is that passion today? A mere recession seems to make saying “I love America” so difficult but America has been much harder to love in her past (and we loved her anyway).

Loving America is understanding what we have endured in the past and believing in the dreams we can attain in the future. As Kennedy says, “We choose to go to the moon...” with our dreams, not because they are easy, but despite their difficulties. Our dreams not only add value to ourselves personally but to the entire country. Perhaps reaching for those dreams is a way to show our love for America; perhaps that is patriotism. Patriotic Development TM is recognizing our history, fighting for our futures and having every intention to succeed with our goals, just as we did with going to the moon.

When President Kennedy declared that we were going to the moon, it was despite every fear that we associated with going. He did not pass the opportunity of his generation and we need not shrink from ours.

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