Today in 1969, man made history as Neil Armstrong became the first person to step onto the Moon’s surface as part of the Apollo 11 mission. Regardless of whether the moon landing was part of a space race between the world superpowers, it’s still a powerful reminder that hope can drive us to achieve the unbelievable. It showed how humans can go beyond the ordinary when we’re determined.

That same spirit of exploration drives us to keep pushing forward. It fueled our pursuit of space exploration, led to the creation of the internet, the smartphone, vaccines that helped us overcome the worst global pandemic in centuries, and now brings us the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) that everyone is buzzing about. These advancements in a fast-paced, evolving landscape are what keep us pushing the boundaries of what we can achieve.

During the past decade, I had the privilege to work in a research-based university alongside great faculty, researchers, and scientists who dedicated themselves to exploring and finding solutions to great challenges. Their commitment to their core purpose has been inspiring, and it reminds me that when we pursue knowledge and innovation, we contribute to the spirit of exploration and the progress of humanity.

The endless possibilities awaiting fuel my motivation to embrace new challenges and reach for higher goals.

It’s always a choice to either live within the confines of the status quo or defy it and embrace the limitless possibilities that lie ahead. We are not limited to a flat earth; our world is a globe filled with boundless opportunities.

What does hope mean to you? How has it fueled your aspirations and inspired you to reach for the extraordinary?