Close to the Edge Minute

This Minute is meant for Boy Scouts.

America has often been referred to as the "land of opportunity". The longer I'm around, the more I believe that this statement is quite true. If you're willing to work hard enough, you can do just about anything you want to.

Most of you scouts probably haven't decided what you want to pursue in terms of a job or a career. You still have time to decide. But consider the possibilities:

We live in an exciting time!

Consider the future of the medical field, for example. There are, and will continue to be, enormous opportunities. New drugs to fight diseases are constantly being developed. New techniques are being tried to improve health and reduce cost. Maybe you could be the researcher who finds a cure for cancer, or finds the key to immunizing against viruses.

Space exploration is filled with discovery. The Mars rovers are still sending back enormous amounts of data about that planet. Someone had to design, build, launch, and control those vehicles. Bright minds. The Cassini/Huygens space probe, which has traveled about 3 billion miles over 9 years to circle the planet Saturn, has recently sent back pictures that indicate the possibility of subterranean water on one of Saturn's moons. Other scientists have managed to capture particles of solar wind and returned them to earth. The same with comet particles, which might yield clues into the origin of the solar system.

So, what does this have to do with you?

I think it has everything to do with how big you dream. These opportunities and countless others like them can be yours. But... there's always a "but" ...

Most people have their comfortable routines. You know when you have to get up, go to work or school, do homework, go to bed.

You probably enjoy watching TV or playing computer games, or just hanging out with your friends.

But have you really pushed yourself to do more than just enough to get by? Have you really tried to see just how much you can do? Improve your skills? Become stronger? Stand out from the crowd?

The author Kurt Vonnegut said,
"I want to stay as close to the edge as I can without going over. Out on the edge you see all kinds of things you can't see from the center."

I challenge you to get close to the edge -
but not too close - and push yourself to become a better you, a stronger you, a happier you. You won't know what you can do until you try.

I'll be watching you, too - from the edge.