Astronauts’ advice for a happy life on Earth
We start valuing something the most when it’s gone – a universal paradox. Imagine for a moment that you suddenly become weightless and find yourself far away from everything you love. Your family, friends, colleagues, your favorite café are thousands of miles away. Emptiness, loneliness, and melancholy are probably the feelings you may experience at that moment. Not so pleasant, isn’t it? This is, however, the reality for astronauts, who spend hundreds of days gazing at their home planet Earth. They surely know how to value life and have some wonderful pieces of advice for all of us.
Chris Hadfield used to greet the world via Twitter each day while orbiting our planet on the International Space Station (ISS). The first Canadian commander of the ISS, Hadfield became a part of the cultural lexicon by using social media in ways no human had before. His Tweets and YouTube videos from space became a worldwide sensation, sparking a sense of wonder in millions not felt since Neil Armstrong first set foot on the moon in 1969. He also published a book called “An Astronaut's Guide to Life on Earth”, which takes readers back to Hadfield's experiences during his training years as well as to his adventures in space. Through compelling stories and anecdotes, Hadfield offers success principles rooted in his unique perspective as well as inspiration in the art of making the impossible possible. Hadfield explains how conventional thinking can sometimes actually get in the way of achievement and true happiness.
"I was given something wonderful. . . A vision of the universe that tells us, undeniably, how tiny, and insignificant and how ... rare, and precious we all are. A vision that tells us that we belong to something that is greater than ourselves, that we are not — that none of us — are alone. ... I wish I could share that. I wish, that everyone, if even for one moment, could feel that awe, and humility, and hope."
Having logged nearly 4,000 hours in space and decades of training as an astronaut, the crux of Hadfield’s success is a philosophy he picked up during his time at NASA: be fully prepared but enjoy every moment along the way.
Another inspiring astronaut is Catherine Coleman who supports the idea that family and unity are top priority for a person’s confidence and motivation to live. She gives an amazing example of family values, speaking about a moment of come-back to Earth and passing by her hometown – this moment she felt her nearest and dearest’s support even though she couldn’t see them from such height.
Sergey Ryazanskiy, a Russian astronaut, considers the most important skill in the modern world is the ability to work in a team. ISS is the home for representatives of many countries who live and work together side by side for a long time. Despite all the cultural differences and very limited personal space, these people manage to become a true family.
“We have been in a team all our lives: family, friends, colleagues, clients. It's good when we choose the team ourselves, but when conflicts arise, I think they are due to illusions. It seems to us that the other person in the situation should act exactly as we would do it ourselves. But everyone sees the situation differently and acts differently.”
Astronauts risk their lives and never know whether they are going to see their beloved ones. That is why they appreciate every moment of life and share it with other people. Try following their small pieces of advice and live your life to the fullest, like it’s your last day on Earth.
Article by Anna Mikhova,
Unarthodox Element Blog Contributor