Divine Guidance
Posted by: Stephan Samuelson
Twist Education is committed to advancing the interest of learning science by developing adventure games that teach science. We are working to develop a web presence that is a fun place to explore science concepts, and games that will take the student on an engaging adventure that will, ultimately, teach them science. Along the way, the student should: learn complex scientific and technical concepts; gain understanding of the “invisible” phenomena related to science; and have fun learning.
Have you ever felt that all the experiences you have in life seem to be leading you to a particular point? A Pinnacle?
I have.
One day, after living through difficult experiences and a particularly frustrating period in my work life, I made a plan. The plan was simple: to manage a large-scale project before the end of the 2008. When the end of the year drew near, I began to realize that I would not achieve that goal at my present place of employment. I knew of a project that Henry M. Halff had been working on for several years. He and I had briefly discussed the project about three years ago and I had a great interest in it, as the project would encourage high school students to learn science. Henry’s project fit well with another goal of mine. For many years, I have felt that if we don’t generate more interest in math and science in our young people, society will, one day, find itself with a severe shortage of scientists. I called Henry and told him of my interest in managing his project, and he said, “It is interesting that you call at this time, as I have, within the last three weeks, decided that if I am going to finish this project in my lifetime I will need to hire a Project Manager.” At our first meeting, I asked Henry if he believed in “Divine Guidance”. He responded, “If I ever get any, I’ll let you know!” This first meeting was an experience for both Henry and I that eventually led us to form Twist Education, LLC, in late 2008.
I read an article in a magazine the other day that was about making your own luck. This article struck a chord with me as I could relate it to my life over the past few years. It spoke about a woman who had a reversal of fortune, not with regards to money, but in her love life. As it turned out she had been too focused on her career goals to put any time or energy into her personal life. When she reached her ultimate career goal (tenure at a university), she “made plans for the rest of her life”. After making those plans, she was open to someone taking an interest in her, flirting with her, or just being friendly to her. This “new mindset”, if you will, led to her meeting the man she eventually married.
The article went on to say that “lucky” people exhibit certain behaviors that scientists have shown can actually put you in a position to be more fortunate than if you don’t demonstrate these behaviors. As I see it, the most important behaviors that you need to demonstrate are: being comfortable with yourself–knowing yourself, and to have a plan for your life (or at least some short term goals). Other behaviors are important, but I think they come from knowing yourself (being relaxed, observant, friendly, and, open to visiting with anyone about your life).
The other dimension that I would add to being “lucky” is to have Faith. If we are going make plans for our life, they should be bold, personal, and have some level of risk. If we don’t make our plans with these three things in mind we will not achieve our true potential (bold), not grow through the experience (personal), and not encounter the true joy of the experience through faith (risk). The only way I know to be comfortable with risk is to have faith. Faith keeps me grounded as I travel the path of life and gives me a peace that I don’t always understand. When life is hardest, if I walk the path of life with faith, I am at peace.
Henry and I have had many “Divine Guidance” moments since our first meeting and it is clear how our founding this company unites our life’s experiences and leads us, together, down a path that will continue to make us who we are.
We hope that some of you will join us and that all of you will follow us as we make the journey that is Twist Education.
May 11, 2009
I was moved by your description of luck and faith. I think that you are right about both creating the environment needed to achieve great things, and then believing that you can achieve them, with a large measure of the Divine Guidance that you mention. Staying focused on a goal, while allowing serendipity and reality to inform your actions, is a good plan. As a writer and painter, I can tell you that you never take an artistic creation “all the way” to its intended goal. You go as far as you can, but then the work itself, or some divine element of completion, makes it far greater than the sum of its parts. This only happens once in a while, but it is thrilling when it occurs. Having known Henry all my life, I can’t think of anyone who is better at achieving the unimagined before people even know how much it will enrich their lives. Science education badly needs the joy of game-playing wed to the substance of scientific theory and the scientific method. Good luck!
Jun 04, 2009
Thanks for the compliment. As for divine guidance, I suppose that I’ve spent my life waiting for God to tell me what to do. I have gotten the occasional message, but it always comes in an unexpected form.