Unless you have been on a deserted island for the past several weeks you are well aware of the final voyage of the Space Shuttle Endeavour. Living in the area where the shuttle conducted its recent flyover, and within 10 minutes of both the Los Angeles International Airport, and the California Science Center, Endeavour has truly been a topic of conversation in the community and for me personally. I can only imagine how others throughout the United States are connected to this event. Based on what I saw on local television, the entire nation is focused on the final journey of this massive, example of human achievement.

The Endeavour launched for the first time in May of 1992. It was the focus of the nation when it was named by school children. After the tremendous student outpouring following the Challenger tragedy in 1986, the NASA Orbiter-Naming Project was initiated, whereby students enrolled in K-12 public and private schools in the United States submitted 6,154 entries for the name of the shuttle now known to us as Endeavour. The tragic end of the Challenger, the beginning of the Endeavour, and the triumphant final voyage of the Endeavour to its resting place here in Southern California have generated much gathering together of people.

As I watched various television programs people were choking back tears, and otherwise visibly moved by seeing the Endeavour. There were scenes of babes in arms, and seniors, multiple ethnic groups and shades of the skin pigment rainbow were present. One reporter remarked it was “Like New Year’s Eve”. If you read or heard any of the extensive coverage I am certain you got a feel for the camaraderie shared by the throngs of people gathered together to experience history.

While I did not go to any of the viewing areas as the Endeavour traveled to its final destination I have an idea of what the energy of the crowd may have been like. Several years ago my husband Ron and I participated in the Los Angeles Marathon. That year there were about 19,000 participants and 1.5 million onlookers. We were prepared to walk the 26 plus mile course, we chose walking. As we lined up for the race we moved as close to the front of the pack as we could. I think we both thought it would be great to start closer to the front. The excitement that started when we paid our entry fee and picked up the numbers we would wear on our t-shirts was building even more now!!

Then as the starter declared the beginning of the race, we could feel the runners and their breeze as they past us. There was giddiness in the air as the wave of individuals whizzed by, like that of little girls at their first tea party with miniature cups and pretend tea. Yet there was more than that too. We began to feel pats on the back and heard people saying, “Good job!” “Keep it going!” “You got it!” “Way to go!” People were encouraging us to finish even though they were passing us. It was such a powerful exchange! They were not condescending or negative. We could actually feel the power of the positive feelings we all had for each other, on one accord. I have never felt that type of energy from so many people at the same time! It seemed like at least a million people were on the course with us, all encouraging each other with smiles and heartfelt positive expectations!

I think that is what the people were feeling when they saw the Endeavour. The focus on a positive outcome and celebrating each other, all on one accord! In 1943 Psychologist Abraham Maslow, wrote an influential paper called “A Theory of Human Motivation” that set out five fundamental human needs and their hierarchical nature. He studied people like Albert Einstein, Eleanor Roosevelt and Frederick Douglass. He introduced his concept, which helps to determine what motivates people. This has become a widely used model. In front of the shuttle and on the course at the LA Marathon we were meeting the need Maslow calls Belongingness and Love. We loved others and ourselves in a group activity. Others loved us in a group activity. We belonged to the group, and we were each separate. We gave to the group, and we received too.

Our Heavenly Father has built into us those human needs. He placed the desire in our hearts to be loved. He loves us. We are commanded to love our neighbor as ourselves. As our maker He knows what it takes for us to thrive! He has instructed us to love as a nurturing act for others and ourselves. It is difficult to love yourself or others when you are in unforgiveness. We are called to forgiveness as part of our mandate to love.

Those men, women, boys and girls that were experiencing the positive outpouring around the Endeavour were enjoying a small sampling of what God wants us to feel more often than not. Reflect on times in your life where you felt those kind of warm fuzzies. Were you giving love to someone, or receiving love from someone? Either way it was a win-win. If someone was showing you love, they were receiving too.

Since this is the final voyage of the Endeavour it may be a very long while before we get another chance to be along the route of the processional for a retired space shuttle. The next marathon is a ways off and I am not sure about you, but my days of walking 26 plus miles in one event are dwindling. According to Maslow and God giving and receiving love are requirements. Have you gotten your Required Daily Amount (RDA) today? The longer you go between doses of the RDA of LOVE the harder it is for you to perform as a human being. Each day you miss causes you to need more to replenish you levels and be in balance. Have you been out of balance lately? When was the last time you had your RDA of LOVE?

Know that if you need some help with getting in balance, through forgiveness or loving thy neighbor as yourself I am here to help, I am part of the solution.
Send me a personal email at Deborah@MapsandLanterns.org or call me at 323-521-4544.

Love,
Deborah
“Lighting the path to loving your neighbor as yourself!”

Photo credit: Ron Talley, Sr.