Persevering in the Little Things

 “The path from dreams to success does exist. May you have the vision to find it, the courage to get on to it, and the perseverance to follow it.” Kalpana Chawla 

Kalpana Chawla was the first Indian-born woman to go to space. When she decided to obtain a degree in Aeronautical Engineering, professors tried to dissuade her because there were limited opportunities for girls in India to follow this career path. However, Chawla was adamant that this was the subject for her, and she persevered until she obtained it. After completing her Engineering Degree in India, she came to the United States where she obtained a Masters Degree and a doctorate in Aerospace Engineering. She reached her dream of going into space in 1997 aboard the space shuttle Columbia. Her second flight into space took place in 2003, but unfortunately, upon returning to earth, the shuttle plunged into the ground killing Chawla and the other six astronauts. Even though her career was short-lived, she left a lasting legacy of inspiring children in India and around the world to pursue a career in space.

When I read Chawla’s biography, I was inspired by her courage and determination. Even though she was faced with many difficulties, she was determined to follow her dreams, and she persevered until she reached them. Being a woman in India, it must have taken a lot of courage to go against the flow. But she stepped outside the comfort zone, and she pushed against all the obstacles.

In life, it’s very easy to settle into a routine and avoid taking risks. But is that what God wants from us? We all have God-given talents waiting to be unleashed. But unless we have the determination to step out of our routines, and the courage to challenge ourselves, we will never unlock our full potential.

We first need to identify what is holding us back. Once we do that, we need to take small steps outside our comfort zone. Every small step we take or every little thing we accomplish should be a cause for celebration. We need to savor each achievement before we rush toward the next step. Each triumph, no matter how small, will give us an opportunity to renew our motivation and strengthen our determination.

We may find difficulties or setbacks in our path, but with determination, we can turn them into stepping stones instead of stumbling blocks. That is why it’s important to start small. We cannot aim for major life changes overnight. Making steady progress will help us to persevere in the long haul.

Even though Chawla made the ultimate sacrifice in service to the space program, her legacy lives on through her fellow astronauts and those she has inspired to follow in her footsteps. She is a guiding light for many students that look at her life and think, “If she did it, I can do it too.” We also have a guiding light as we strive to unleash our talents. God is that guiding light. With His help, we can achieve amazing things. By stepping out of our comfort zone, persevering in the little things, and never giving up in the face of challenges, God will reward us by helping us to achieve our biggest dreams.

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