Wake up kids: you are only responsible for trying -- not succeeding

Kimberly Chapple
Editor

I need to remind myself of this. Often. Because for many of us, the words don't seem to ring true. We live in a fast-paced world where we spend most of our time working or sleeping while time flies on by, faster and faster, stopping for no one. There's hardly any time for fun and certainly no time for failure. It seems everyone -- be it our employers, colleagues, customers, families, the country -- is depending on us for something. And we'd better get it right in this "succeed...or else -- us v. them" world we've cultivated over the past few thousand years. Indeed, why bother to take risks at all anymore?

I'll tell you why. Because you, yes you, all by yourself reading this column, make a difference. That idea, project, letter you were going to write does matter. And there's no better time than now to do something about it.

The butterfly effect ensures your action will cause a reaction somewhere. Just as it's no longer disputed in scientific circles that a butterfly flapping its wings in South America can cause a hurricane in North America, this world no longer has room for excuses like, "Nothing I do matters anyway." Your scientific engineering industry has proven this point (which, by the way, both energizes and terrifies this non-engineering editor), so perhaps now you scientists and engineers should go forward and take on more leadership roles within your communities. (Is there a rule somewhere that says only the lawyers should lead us?
Give me a break.)

This call to action is not a new concept. Remember Gandhi. Remember Walt Disney. Today Jimmy Buffet compares people to stars of the universe noting,"Some make the world go 'round, others watch it turn." (If you're lucky you might find Beach House on the Moon on http://www.spinrecords.com In any event, there are all kinds of people around you encouraging your action. They always have, always will. I'm just one more voice.

And, no, I don't know what project, idea, invention you're working on. I don't know what office you want to run for, which candidate you want to support. I don't know what or to whom you feel the need to write. However, I do know that like most other people in this country, there's something you want to change. You've got some good ideas. And remember you are only responsible for trying -- not succeeding.

So now's the time. Share your vision. If you're shy, just whisper, for a butterfly need not shout.

kchapple@designfax.net

One last thought:
"What we do speaks so loudly that what we say cannot be heard."

Mahatma Gandhi, as quoted by his grandson Dr. Arun Gandhi at a Seattle benefit for Mothers Against Violence in America.
[The Seattle Times, 6/4/98]