This was one of those most disturbing and amazing days in American history, as well as with my own personal history. Many citizens of our country had their hopes and dreams dashed, with the 7 American heroes who died 31 years ago today.
Had it not been for an overly cautious pharmacy technician, January 28, 1986 would have been my final day on earth, as well. My search for truth began right here, on this very day, with the Challenger explosion symbolic of my own terminally damaged life up to that time, and nothing has been the same for me since. My hopes for “outer space” were dashed when I chose a life of alcoholism and drug use, married a psychotic woman, and withdrew from a total Air Force scholarship when they would no longer promise me a fighter pilot’s training upon graduation (I thought that this was my path to becoming an astronaut). Being a ‘ground engineer” just did not bring any enthusiasm to me at the time, and I felt “grounded” by the experience, and I never did recover from it, at least until I found my “spirit rocket” in 1987, and afterwards.
My “spirit rocket” now lifts off daily, without the extra encumbrance of religious and cultural misunderstanding, judgement, and superstition (which impedes all spiritual progress). Love and acceptance of myself and all others (INCLUDING ALL ANIMAL LIFE) now unfolds within me as my primary, life affirming propellant.