It’s very easy to get wrapped up in the negative happenings of the world. But today I got wrapped up in the search for adventure, pushing the boundaries of what is conceived as impossible or impractical by most. As an entrepreneur, it can be a lonely road of self-doubt and criticism from others. Richard Branson has been a long-time icon of entrepreneurial success for us. We even named our #TinyHomeOnWheels, “Sir Richard Vanson.”
Watching Sir Richard Branson achieve another dream of his today, was two hours filled with unexpected bursts of emotion. From the excitement of watching the aircrafts climbing higher into the atmosphere to the tightness of clinging to hope that it all goes smoothly. Tears of joy as they landed safely and he hugged his grandkids. As I sat watching the commentators and visual coverage I couldn’t help imagine this was similar to the 1960s when the first man went into space. At that time it was a global space race between countries. This time it’s the space race between private civilian companies and billionaires. This was our generation’s space moment in time. It’s easy to dismiss this feat since our technology moves so quickly these days. But the moment was not lost on me or many others. We can all now take this sense of adventure with us into an amazing new era just like they did so many years before.
Today’s event stoked the flames of that sense of wonder in me, that sense of adventure and exploration. I noticed a social media post criticizing these billionaires for “wasting” their money on these frivolous things. They should be using their money to help suffering people on earth. In my opinion, being a leader, the first to do something does far more than money could do. In fact, Elon Musk spent the morning with Branson and Jeff Bezos wished him well. Comradery during competition equals another example of unity the world so desperately needs. It shows the next generation of innovators what is possible when you stretch your imagination and believe in an idea. We all have our journey. We all have a passion for something inside of us. What Mr. Branson and his team confirmed for me was what that passion can translate into; little/big businesses and big impacts on the world. When you are surrounded by the right people, people that believe in your ideas, there is nothing we can’t accomplish. But we have to take the action to put ourselves out there in the uncomfortable zone. We have to do the inner work to find out what it is that we really want to leave as our legacy, not what we think the world wants from us. This is the entrepreneur's journey.
Throughout the coverage, they shared letters that Branson wrote to his family. He writes these before all his dangerous adventures (as far as I understand.) The one to his grandchildren written in 2018 was especially emotional for me. Something he passed down from his father. I feel this is exactly where Joe and I are now. Through all the highs and lows we’ve been through, we do what Branson’s father shared. We are enjoying a wonderful life.
I am excited to see someone pushing the boundaries of human existence so that other generations can benefit from it. Another reason we admire Elon Musk and the work he does too. In this time of global health crisis, racial tensions, political tensions, and uncertainty, this historical event of opening up #spacetourism and a new frontier of travel exploration for everyone should encourage people to have that child-like sense of adventure. Life is indeed wonderful, through everything. Without the bad, we wouldn’t be able to appreciate the good. This is truly a unifying experience of hope, an exciting future of possibilities.
In our own small way, Joe’s and my little earth-ship, "Sir Richard Vanson", carries us into the unknown. It is now a real possibility we'll get to go to space too but for now, plenty of adventure awaits us here on earth.
“If we can do this, just imagine what you can do.” – Richard Branson (while in space for the first time.)