October 2025

October Thought of the Month

"Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go."

~ T.S. Eliot

Before GPS and Google Maps, we depended on printed Rand McNally road maps. We wouldn't have had maps if not for the explorers and guides who blazed the trails into the wilderness, risking and losing their lives. Imagine the courage it took to risk entering unknown territory with no idea of the outcome. That's the kind of strength we need to achieve and progress in this world.

Our lives are a series of risky journeys — physical, mental, and spiritual. We have near infinite resources to help us on our way, from mentors and rolemodels, to education and training. But eventually, like those ancient explorers, we must start walking the paths facing us even when we can't guarantee how or where we'll end up.

The unknown is scary and it is tempting to stay safely in our comfort zones. But staying in one place leads to stagnation. Innovation cannot be achieved without taking risks. When we are too comfortable, we aren't as inspired to take actions that disturb the status quo. We look at a problem and think someone else will solve it.

But what if that someone else is us? Perhaps it's time we became our own trailblazers and discovered how far we can go.

[Thought and image design by Elaine C. Oldham]