What experiences have prompted a sense of wonder and hope in your life?
And where did those moments take you?
It was 10:56 p.m. EDT on July 20, 1969. I was eight years old, dressed in my pink pajamas, sitting in the living room with my older brother and parents, watching our big black-and-white television. My mother had gently woken me up and led me downstairs so I could witness history unfolding in real time: the lunar landing.
An astronaut named Neil Armstrong was about to take his first steps on the moon.
The fact that I had been allowed to make an appearance at such a late hour was almost as exciting as the landing itself. 🌙
It was hard to believe that an actual human being was standing on that giant white object hanging in the night sky. I remember thinking:
“He’s done the impossible.”
And then another thought crossed my eight-year-old mind:
“I wonder if he’s worried he’ll trip like I do when I walk?”
We watched and waited as legendary news anchor Walter Cronkite guided the nation through the moment. Back then, there were no replays, no streaming services, and no pause button. You had to stay awake, alert, and fully present.
Then I heard Neil Armstrong say the words that would echo across generations:
“That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.”
What struck me most—even as a child—was that Neil Armstrong didn’t make the moment about himself.
At a time when many people might have been tempted to shout:
“Look at me! Do you see what I’m doing?”
he instead invited the entire world into the experience.
I was too young to understand the word leadership, but I instinctively understood what I had just witnessed.
Neil Armstrong had spent years sacrificing, training, and working toward that singular moment. Yet when he arrived on the moon, he reminded us that achievement is most meaningful when it belongs to all of us.
His presence on the moon taught us to dream. 🚀
And it taught us something equally important:
✨ Wonder expands possibility.
That ethos has stayed with me throughout my life. I’ve always been drawn to stories about people whose work is fueled by purpose, curiosity, and imagination.
Recently, my cohost, Jerome Deroy, CEO of Narativ, and I welcomed Bryce Kennedy to our Leadership Story Talks podcast. During our conversation, the word wonder surfaced again and again.
Bryce shared his remarkably non-linear journey and spoke about what ultimately drew him back to his childhood passion: outer space.
Like Neil Armstrong, Bryce emphasized how important it is to include others in your purpose-driven story if you want your mission to succeed.
He explained how Space Valley brings together adventurers, inventors, visionaries, artists, thinkers, and rebels in a unique environment where art, culture, science, nature, and technology collide to push the boundaries of space exploration.
Bryce’s mission is not simply about discovering space.
It’s about inviting others to discover the hidden wonders, creative forces, cosmic curiosities, critical insights, and revolutionary advancements emerging from this singular culture of innovation.
Memorable Takeaways from the Conversation 🌟
- Wonder is more than a feeling — it’s a gateway to innovation, imagination, and global collaboration.
- Failure can be more valuable than success when discovering new possibilities and uncovering your true calling.
- Instead of forcing outcomes, align with your “North Star” and allow possibilities to emerge naturally.
Final Reflection 💫
Wonder has the power to awaken us.
It invites us to look beyond limitation, beyond fear, and beyond the routines that shrink our imagination.
Whether it’s watching a man walk on the moon, listening to someone rediscover their childhood passion, or reconnecting with our own sense of purpose, moments of wonder remind us that hope is not naive.
Hope is fuel.
And perhaps now, more than ever, we need to make space for both wonder and hope in our lives.
Click on these links to the Moon Landing, Bryce Kennedy’s Podcast Interview and more: