The Will To Do It

Wernher von Braun has been referred to as “without a doubt, the greatest rocket scientist in history.” When he was asked by President Kennedy about what it would take to put a man in a rocket, into outer space, and onto the moon, his response to this seemingly complex question was surprisingly simple:

“The will to do it.”

Space, an uninhabitable environment. The moon, a barren rock. We live in a day where it’s not uncommon for people to be in space, and a man has walked on the moon. Yet there was a time not so long ago when those thoughts were synonymous with the word “impossible.”

Some of you reading this may look in the mirror and remember the thin, somewhat athletic young person that you once were. But years combined with trauma, a dash of neglect or two and potentially a monotonous job or two have left you wanting the vitality, energy, and health of the past. But it just seems so “impossible.”

A patient recently underwent an enormous health transformation. Upon arriving back at work many pounds lighter and more vibrant, she shared that many of her co-workers paid her so much attention that she almost felt like a “freak.” People wanted to know how she lost so much weight, how she got so strong, even if perhaps she was struggling with cancer. She shared in return that she merely was making healthier choices and found herself healthier than she had been in years. She looked like a “freak” because she was merely applying willpower.

As a chiropractor, it is not uncommon to see people who have gotten themselves into a dangerous predicament regarding their health. Either neglect, trauma, or stress has accumulated to the point that they are hurting, or not working right, or merely feeling much older than they actually are. X-rays and examinations are performed to discover the underlying problem causing their pain. The results are reviewed with the patient.

And then comes the question. The seemingly impossible question escapes your lips. “What would it take to take my spine, my health, my life, and make it healthy enough to be out of pain, to have a body that functions like it should, and perhaps even feel younger than I have in years? What would it take, doctor?”

Five words.

“The will to do it.”

When you have the willpower, you have a great place to start, the only place to start.