The Main Thing

Courage, determination, and fortitude are characteristics of the week’s topic. It is impressed upon me the necessity of keeping focus on the task at hand. Whatever undertaking is engaged upon, if success is to be achieved, a single idea must exist. It has to be understood, studied, and validated to gain a status of commissioned effort. The single idea (which we will from now on refer to as “The Main Thing”) drives everything and it’s amazing how many things can cause distraction. From the WWII to the single room school house, and from presidential campaigns to scientific discovery, an idea must accompany any successful effort.

The simplest and to the point idea appears to have an advantage over complicated thought. “We the People” from our founding fathers; “We win, they lose”, from Ronald Reagan; and finally the “V” sign from Winston Churchill one of the simplest still. The Main Thing must be clear and unmistakable on its own intention.

Even in its simplicity, The Main Thing is no less of a challenge. In fact, the simplest idea can be the hardest to accomplish. Starting a new world for the Founding Fathers was no small undertaking. Defeating the Soviet Union was thought by most as impossible, and England came close many times to falling under the Axis power. I would say that a teacher in a school room trying to abolish ignorance is facing the same thing as a President facing the War on Terror. You must name The Main Thing or distractions will overwhelm the best of human intentions.

Well, you may say that some succeeded by accident. A scientist for instance may have discovered something he was never expecting. However, if you break down The Main Thing for a scientist, is it not to discover and to understand?
Every successful effort has The Main Thing driving it forward. Our charge is therefore to keep The Main thing, The Main Thing……………….