The President of My Boyhood

The President of My Boyhood

“And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you — ask what you can do for your country.

“My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.

“Finally, whether you are citizens of America or citizens of the world, ask of us here the same high standards of strength and sacrifice which we ask of you.

“With a good conscience our only sure reward, with history the final judge of our deeds, let us go forth to lead the land we love, asking His blessing and His help, but knowing that here on earth God’s work must truly be our own.”

John F. Kennedy

Yesterday was the 62nd anniversary of President Kennedy’s inaugural address. JFK was the first person outside of my family, faith, and community that made me aspire to do my best and focus on being a blessing to others.

I love this picture of him, looking toward a vision for a better future, a better life for our country and the world.

As a boy, I dreamed about being my best self and living my best life. JFK, among others, made me believe that it was possible, and I’ve never stopped believing it.

On May 25th, 1961, twenty days after Alan Shepard became the first American in space, President Kennedy spoke before Congress seeking more funding for the space program. He audaciously proclaimed, “I believe that this nation should commit itself to achieving the goal, before this decade is out, of landing a man on the moon and returning him safely to the earth.” He got the money.

On July 20th, 1969, at 10:56 p.m. EDT, Neil Armstrong made that dream a reality, with a mere five months and ten days to spare. I remember watching it on TV with my family, along with hundreds of millions of others around the world. Our country, and the world, believed it could be done, and we had the will to do it.

We can accomplish our dreams. What “small step” can we take today that will move us toward that reality? And what can we do to inspire others to do the same?

Let’s do it!