Excellence Can Open Many Doors
"The reward for work well done is the opportunity to do
more."
- Dr. Jonas Salk
(1914-1995)
Scientist
During the
first half of the twentieth century, America faced a killer and destroyer of
children like non-other. This evil force
paralyzed between 13,000-20,000 people and kill over 1,000 a year. In 1952, 3,145 people died from this random
killer. Then came a valiant warrior to
do the impossible and vanquish this demon.
The killer's name was Polio, the warrior was Dr. Jonas Salk, born
October 28, 1914.
The Polio epidemic was a fearful
and destructive time in the U.S. and around the world. It was said, "Apart from the atomic
bomb, American's greatest fear was polio."
It left many paralyzed and disabled for life. As in every difficult time in history, the
world looked for a champion. They found
that champion in a medical researcher, Jonas Salk. Salk discovered the Polio Vaccine in
1952. His research lead to a decrease of
Polio in the U.S. of 95%. And today it
is almost unheard of at all.
Salk faced the same problem that
many success-minded people face still today: the task was massive and all signs
show it to be impossible. He also faced
it as so many have today, the impossible only means it takes a bit longer to
solve. Did Jonas Salk know that he would
discover a cure for polio and become known throughout the world for this great
discovery? No, he just knew that there
was a problem to be solved. Here is what
you can learn from this leader.
No problem is too big
Success-minded people like Jonas
Salk, believe that every problem has an answer.
The issue is not the size of the problem or the type of problem, it is
only how to solve the problem. Note: It
is never "can" the problem be solved, but how do you solve it. The "can" had already been answered
with a yes.
Hard work is a must
Nothing great comes easy. That is just a fact of life. Salk worked for hours on end over many years
to find the right vaccine in his battle against this disease. Many times it seemed hopeless and out of
reach, but that did not stop him from trying something new, make changes and
keep going day after day.
Answers can be found
Jonas Salk proved that no
problem is too big for us to handle.
Every problem has an answer and someone will find it. Even cancer can be cured, it is just a matter
of finding out how. And the someone who
will find that answer, will be someone who never gives up looking for it.
Now here is the big question: If
someone will find the cure for cancer and other diseases, reach the bottom of
the oceans, reach the limits of space or create a successful business, why
can't that someone be you? Never
underestimate yourself, I don't. I look
at every person I meet or talk with as the person who may be the next Jonas
Salk. I have no idea what God has in
store for people so it is my decision to believe they will be the one to do
something great and important. I also
believe that could be you. What do you
think?
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