NO HALF MEASURES

No monumental achievement or idea was ever brought to fruition without two outstanding qualities in its originators; implicit belief in himself even in the face of general unbelief or even condemnation as well as a never-say-die attitude. History indeed, has no place for those who cannot persevere in order to achieve. People of that ilk belong to the trashcan of history. History on the other hand, is replete with instances of people who stood their ground and fought for the right to be counted long after their departure from this world and one such instance was the conceptualization, criticisms and construction of the landmark Brooklyn Bridge in New York.

Inspired by John Roebling in 1863, the idea was criticized by many ‘experts’ but he was convinced and infused his son, Washington with the idea. However, fate prevented him from seeing the bridge through as an accident claimed his life and yet another ailment rendered his son incapable of carrying on……..almost. In spite of his inability to use some of his vital physical abilities, he transmitted his messages to the on-site assistants through his wife by means of a communication code they developed. Thirteen years later, the bridge was completed and amazingly, it still stands today, even after many others collapsed with rehabilitation work slated for 2009.

Its strength and stand is a towering monument to the innate innovative spirit of man and what can be achieved when the spirit of excellence dominates your endeavours. One filled with this spirit does nothing in half measures but takes every action to preserve even the smallest monuments which will stand and propel his generations and those unborn. The spirit of excellence never delivers in half measures.