The Audacity of a Trailblazer

There’s a delightful Irish story about two young boys who come upon a high wall in an orchard, and while they considered ending their journey, one of the boys grabs the other boys’ hat and tosses it over the wall. The hat disappearing ended a debate that ensued.

They were obliged to follow it. Throwing a hat over the wall implies that, in the face of an obstruction standing between you and your goal, the first step is to act rapidly, and courageously.  It becomes a promise you make to yourself doing what’s required. Consequently, what was once viewed as impossible becomes possible. President Kennedy used this story to lead the country into the new frontier of space travel.

I’ve always remembered it because it resonates with every kid who has spent a summer day exploring the neighborhood with his buddies. Everything was an adventure new and exciting but scary too.

When you really break down the hat flinging story, it’s how we first convince others to trust and follow us. Conversely, it’s how we first put our trust in someone other than our parents or reject it.