Keep Circling

Major General Michael Collins
Time in space
11d 02h 04m

Apollo 11 was the first manned mission to land on the Moon. The first steps by humans on another planetary body were taken by Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin on July 20, 1969.

What of that third astronaut? The commander of the module that circle the moon while the others two became household names for generations.

During his day of solo flying around the Moon, Collins never felt lonely. Although it had been said that “not since Adam has any human known such solitude.” Collins felt very much a part of the mission. In his autobiography he wrote that “this venture has been structured for three men, and I consider my third to be as necessary as either of the other two”. During the 48 minutes of each orbit that he was out of radio contact with Earth, the feeling was not loneliness, but as “awareness, anticipation, satisfaction, confidence, almost exultation”.

I feel a relationship to Collins. I have for my professional career created opportunities for other people to make their mark; musicians, songwriters, record producers, actors, designers, photographers, heck even politicians. I’m a motivator, a manager, someone who loves to create opportunity.  What are you piloting?

Keep circling, and soon, your mission will take you home.