What I learned from Stephen Hawking: living life to the full

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LIVING LIFE TO THE FULL

Today the news was announced that the world had lost one of its foremost scientific brains, and that Professor Stephen Hawking has died at the age of 76.

Tributes are pouring in from all over the world to celebrate the life and work of one of the UK's most famous people.

As a very outwardly 'creative' kind of person myself, you may be surprised to know that I actually took A' levels in Pure Maths and Physics and my fascination for both subjects has continued well into my successive decades. I love reading about physics and its search for the 'theory of everything', I get excited when science seems (at least to me) to be the same side of the search for philosophical and spiritual meaning; and although I cannot always follow the developments of quarks, bosuns and string theory, I love to give it a go! :)

So today, on hearing the news, I thought I would write a short blog of appreciation to say what this amazing man has brought into my life. I have never met him, and now never will, but he has taught me many things about life that go far beyond the realms of Hawking's radiation, space/time and black holes.


Here are just a few of them:

1) That the labels we are given are just that, a label - and a label that other people have agreed - it is your choice whether you subscribe to and adhere to them or not. And it is your choice whether you allow them to define you. Professor Hawking was told at the age of 21 that he had 2 years to live.....so reaching the age of 76 goes well beyond everyone else's expectation. But I suspect, it was exactly what Professor Hawking had planned all along.

2) Never give up! There is ALWAYS a solution if you look hard enough and have enough determination. You cannot write a book that sells over 10 million copies, without having some determination. And you cannot exist on the public stage whilst only communicating one letter at a time by twitching a muscle in your face. Who of us would persevere under such circumstances and which of us would give up? "Never give up" was one of the things he said often. And what amazing things he has achieved against all odds with this simple mantra.

3) "Look up to the stars not down at your feet." This is another quote from the great man which has meanings on many levels; meanings in theoretical physics as well as some inspirational advice about transcending one's one physical limitations by dreaming and looking towards what can be instead of what is. We can all do this in everyday life too but many of us get stuck by looking down, and miss the amazing, exhilarating and truly awe-inspiring world that is really around us if we bothered to look up.

4) One man can inspire a generation, nay, an entire world. How amazing is that? What would it be like to be able to inspire so many young minds and to trigger their curiosity, talent and potential. This is an amazing legacy and it doesn't matter that most people stopped reading "A Brief History of Time" in the first 10 pages - he inspired people to be interested, to stand apart from their normal humdrum and consider something else (however briefly). But then if you understand time, you'll realise that that is ultimately not a problem either!

So today, I want to say thank you, Professor Hawking for:

  • inspiring me to be a better person
  • suggesting that I look at my self-imposed limitations and to cast them aside in favour of what is possible, however many other people tell me it is not
  • igniting a passion in me for learning and knowledge
  • making me struggle with complex maths that I did not and still do not fully understand, but I tried anyway
  • showing me that life is not defined by the circumstances you find yourself in, but purely by WHAT YOU MAKE IT.

What an amazing legacy.

It is British Science Week this week too, so what better time to celebrate the life of this amazing man, and the lessons we can all learn.

They do not need to be applied to theoretical physics - we can apply them in everyday life, to every situation and in every place where we may feel we could give up............and then again, we could be inspired, go and seek out the solution and take our life onto the next level.

What will you take from Professor Stephen Hawking's legacy?

Please leave a comment and let us know.


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Recent Comments

58

Have been a long time admirer of his.

Me too.

Thanks for writing this wonderful tribute Gail. I am totally not very Maths or Physics oriented but I have always regarded Stephen Hawking as a gift of inspiration to us all. -Mark

Indeed - as many people are. Thanks for commenting Mark. All the best to you today. Gail

Thanks Gail

That’s what having no tv and travelling does for you, I just see this news from you now!

Sad news to hear but a fantastic person!

Wayne

Sad yes but I think he would be happy now and definitely pleased with is achievement. I've just watched a BBC programme about him too that was made a few years ago, and he definitely had a sense of humour. :)

I love interdimensional physics, string theory, multiverses and the like. What a find that you are interested in those aspects!

Heehee - I just knew you would be Mike! Great minds and all that. And who wouldn't want to know all the secrets of the universe from every possible angle? How else can our consciousness expand from what is, to what it can be?

This is the crown jewel of what makes Wealthy Affiliate "worth it" for me Gail. I have material for a hobby website on the topic I will take live this year!

Sounds good Mike. All the best with that site. Let me know when it goes live.

Goodbye Steven hswking you are a free spirit now. We will see you in heaven one day.

Absolutely. :)

I can imagine him free of the mechanized trappings of artificial support. Soaring free in the universe he so studied Gail!

You're right. He can now be everywhere and anywhere, all at the same time. And I bet he's loving every minute. :) Thanks for taking the time to comment, Mike. Have a great day. Gail

Fantastic tribute to an amazing human being, Gail. My biggest take away from Mr. Hawkins was his never give up attitude and we can be and do anything we set our minds to.

Thanks, Gail.

Wayne

Thanks to you too Wayne. That's a great thing to remember him by. Gail

Awesome tribute, Gail!
Lots of great jewels here.
What an accomplishment for a man who many would consider gravely challenged.
How much more should we be soaring with all the things we take so much for granted.

David

Yes, quite right David and thanks for leaving a comment. We all take so much for granted sometimes and then start moaning about the little things. So much better to appreciate the things we do have and build on that. Have a great day. Gail

My take away is his attitude of never giving up. I am getting older and have some health issues but I have never given up on life and or trying new things like WA. We have truly lost someone unique and important today.

Indeed and I love the fact that you can take away the 'never give up' quote. It's simple but so true. And thank you for commenting. Gail

Thanks, Gail. Amazing post.Now we will know more about this outstanding man. And you amazed me at your interest and achievements in Math and Physics. Quite unexpected!:)

Thanks Vera. I've always been a few hundred years behind the times. I really aspired to be what they described in the renaissance as a polymath! Oh well, that just means there's plenty more learning to go! :) Gail

Yeah... "Born to eat knowledge"...Totally understand...:)))

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