A tribute...

This is a tribute to Chester Copperpot and the lesson we can learn from him.

For those of you that don't remember him, he is a bit character from the movie The Goonies.

He was a pirate and a treasure hunter. Those, by themselves, are not worthy of tribute.
The important thing is that Chester failed. Normally we don't celebrate failure but in this case I think we should.

Why?

Because a group of untrained kids succeeded where a professional failed.

Yes, it was a campy 80's movie and a completely fictional story. But think about it. After you saw the movie for the first time you BELIEVED that you and your friends could find a hidden treasure. It helped you embrace the possibility that you could accomplish anything.

Some people carry that belief in to their adult lives. Everyone should have.

Chester gave the Goonies a burst of confidence that they would take through the rest of their lives.

You may be asking what my point is in all of this?

There is a statement that I live by. I adapt it to many situations and try to keep it in mind always. It goes something like this:

If you encounter something you cannot do, it is not due to a lack of ability. It is a lack of creativity. All things are possible, you just have to dream up a way to do them.

The Goonies were not trained treasure hunters. They used unconventional means to solve problems designed to thwart seasoned professionals. They used creativity to solve problems that no one before them could. They weren't smarter, better trained, or more experienced. They were simply more creative.

Well done to The Goonies, and a big thank you to Chester Copperpot.

Now I am in the mood to watch the movie. Its been too many years.

Have a great Friday everyone.