Spring is finally here! Although most of the country is not feeling it right now the Spring season has officially begun. Growing up in Florida, I always felt like I had a love/hate relationship toward this time of year. I say that because while I love most of the qualities Spring has to offer (laying the foundation for my veggie garden, the amazing Florida weather, and Easter time) I also know that it is the time of year that I suffer from some really terrible allergies and that is not fun. But, spring time always means much more than just this. Spring time always reminds me that something special is about to happen and I don’t have to worry. Spring time always reminds me of the most powerful stories, greatest sacrifices in time and ongoing opportunities for new life. This and more make Spring one of my favorite seasons.
It has been a few weeks since my last post and it seems like a lot has happened. While I dedicate my time working full time at the bakery making all sorts of cakes, cupcakes, cookies and more, I also spend a lot of time handling customer requests, researching better ways of using social media, and keeping up with the latest cake trends and events. While both my parents are the exclusive artists behind the bakery I am quickly finding my place as the marketing guru behind the bakery and that is a huge part of my story.
Our Stories in life are an interesting thing that can hold great importance. Whether they are passed down from our families or they are of our own shaping, our stories can inspire our greatest challenges, fuel our dreams, and provide that extra sense of purpose which we need. Last month, I was invited by NASA to attend the State of NASA Social out in the Kennedy Space Center amongst a limited number of attendees. I had applied on the website a few weeks before and filled out what seemed like an endless application filled with lots of questions about my personal story. A few weeks later I was excited to receive a confirmation email saying I was officially invited to attend. Although, I didn’t know much about the current situation of Space or what was going on at the Space Center I was excited to go and learn as much as I could. When the day finally arrived I drove out to Titusville and was ready to spend the day with the NASA team.
During the event, I was provided with the opportunity to:
- Tour Kennedy Space Center
- Watch the live broadcast of the NASA Acting Administrator’s State of NASA briefing
- Speak to NASA officials from Kennedy to learn about our year ahead
- Meet fellow space enthusiasts who are active on social media
Spending the day in NASA was one of the highlights of my life and I was able to meet a whole new group of passionate individuals from across the globe with amazing stories. It was awesome to be in a place that so much history took place in and remember the dreamers and doers (not only astronauts, but engineers and passionate individuals behind the scenes). To my surprise what I took out of it the most were the endless stories filled with love and passion towards what they are doing for the future. Changing the world requires time but I believe in everything they are working towards and am excited to see where they will take us next. The people who took us to Infinity and Beyond are the same people as you and me. They are the dreamers of our kind with a great story and testimonial behind them. They are the optimists in society that never complain and always see opportunity to serve the world. No matter where your story has led you, remember tomorrow is new!
“The people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do” Steve Jobs
FOREVER REMEMBERED Exhibit at the Kennedy Space Center
If telling your story transforms one person…isn’t that worth it?
Easter is just a few days away and I find it appropriate to share with you one of my favorite Biblical stories. If you aren’t familiar with the story of Paul…prepare for some spoilers ahead. Basically Paul (once known as Saul) was a man that went against God and would plot and kill Christians without any regret. He was one of the most well known murderers of the time but soon would be transformed. Transformation can happen at any day, time, place and moment and we must remember that God can change anyone! I, repeat…God can change anyone and he did with Saul/Paul. The truth of the matter is that when God transformed Paul, he became one of the leading followers of the Gospel and that is pretty cool. This Easter I find myself thankful for each and everyone one of you. I hope you all have an amazing holiday and are able to spend it in community among family, friends and loved ones. Thankfully, I know my story is amazing even if it never makes it into a best selling book or film.
Questions to Consider:
- What is your story?
- How can your story help someone?
- Are you afraid to share your story? or feel your story is not important?
- Imagine if the dreamers before you didn’t share their story they had? Would we have accomplished so much?
Photos of my NASA Experience
MikeManTravels 