3 Lessons Learned about Purpose from Wally Funk
On July 20, 2021 at 9:12 am EST history was made in Van Horn, Texas, USA. Yesterday, Jeff Bezos, Amazon Chairman, and 3 other passengers successfully complete and 10-minute flight to space.
Getting to see the flight take off, ascend into space, and hear the conversation of the civilian astronauts in real-time was very memorable. I don’t know about you, but I was holding my breath and praying the whole time!
However, the most remarkable component to this whole story is the fact that the oldest and youngest people ever to fly to space were both on the trip. Hearing the story of 82-year old Wally Funk truly inspired me to persevere in my own purpose journey.
A brief recap of Wally’s story is that in the early 1960’s she was chosen to participate in a privately funded program, Mercury 13, whose mission was to recruit and train women astronauts. Despite completing the training, the program was cancelled…
Recalling her time in the program, *Wally Funk said “They told me that I had done better and completed the work faster than any of the guys,” she said. “So I got a hold of NASA four times. I said, ‘I want to become an astronaut,’ but nobody would take me.”
“I didn’t think that I would ever get to go up,” she added. “They said, ‘Wally, you’re a girl! You can’t do that!’ I said, ‘guess what? Doesn’t matter what you are. You can still do it if you want to do it. And I like to do things that nobody has ever done.'”
WOW….and 60 years later we were able to watch Wally prove the “naysayers” WRONG!
Here are some lessons that I took away from Wally’s story of pursuing her purpose:
She was MADE to be unique...starting with her name - So much of what holds us back are the limiting beliefs that we tell ourselves about the little things. Next time, you hear yourself talking yourself out of walking in your purpose because your name is unique, you’re from the wrong part of the city/country, you’re not qualified enough, etc, OWN the FACT that you were MADE with the end in mind. God had a purpose before you before you were even born...even down to the smallest detail of your name. Next time your mind tries to divert you from purpose.. think instead “What would Wally Funk do?
She didn’t let her fear or other people define or change the core of her purpose (to fly!) -Wally could have easily quit on her dream after she spent months training and honing her natural talents as a pilot only to be told no and not even considered due to her gender. I'm sure she could have let her dream die after NASA told her no in fear that no one would take her seriously….I mean NASA SAID NO??! But Wally didn’t quit. She continued on to become the first female Federal Aviation Administration inspector and first female National Transportation Safety Board air safety investigator.
You will see what you seek if you truly believe and persist toward your goal- Wally’s attitude:” Doesn’t matter what you are. You can still do it if you want to do it.”, is the fierce attitude that a Lady Trailblazer must adopt. The journey of awakening our purpose is about building our character so that we will become women MADE to sustain the blessings of our purpose. The journey won’t always be easy, feel great, or even at times look like we are making progress and moving forward. But keep your hope up, and know that your reward does not lie in the evidence of what you see currently, but of the evidence that will become your currency to serve others in a bigger capacity.
Sis, everyday you wake up and have a second chance to DO whatever you want and be whoever you want to BE...the only thing stopping you is you!
July is the new January! You have a new 6 months to change the patterns that prevented you from going after your goals in the first 6 months...
What will you change in the next 6 months in order to achieve something different? Are you stopping you from achieving your very own Wally Funk out of space dreams?
Comment below and let me know what patterns you would like to focus on changing during the next 6 months. I would love to help support you and keep you accountable!
👉Quick Question? #Transparent Moment"“
Is it fear….is fear stopping you from living the unstoppable life that you were MADE to live. If so, grab my new mini-course, “The Many Faces of Fear” Here
*Excerpt and Quotes from New York Post Article “Jeff Bezos says Wally Funk will be fourth passenger on Blue Origin spaceflight”
About the Author:
Tynisha Wooley is the founder and curator of the Purposely Made Life Brand, a movement that empowers women who feel disconnected from their head (skills, talent, accomplishments, titles) and their heart Who am I?, Why am I here?, How am I uniquely designed to contribute my gifts and passions to the world?). Women who know that God MADE them for a specific reason and desire to live in the fullness of their God-given purpose. Her personal mission is to see every woman awaken her purpose, release fear, and lead with purpose in every area of her life!
Do You Know Your Purpose?
Are you seeking the answers to the questions “Who am I?”, “Why am I here?, “How am I uniquely designed to contribute my gifts and passions to the world?”
If you said yes to any of these questions, let’s connect!
Comments