The Felix Phenomenon

Almost overnight, the name Felix Baumgartner trended worldwide.  The whole world watched as this Austrian man stepped off a high-pressure baloon and fell towards earth at speeds up to 1300 km/h.  This incredible feat was in pursuit of the speed of sound - something never experienced by a mere human.

The jump itself is indescribable, but only after I took a look through the website www.redbullstratos.com did I actually get a sense of the kind of dangers that were involved.  The severity of those challenges cannot be overlooked.  So for someone who isn't an adrenaline junkie, attempting something like this seems downright crazy.  However, I don't believe it is crazy at all - in fact it is crucial.

Psychologically, we all always looking for signs to show us that we are doing the right thing, that we are heading in the right direction, that our vices can be cured, that we can turn things around.  Whether we believe those signs or not (or even whether those signs exist) depends on what our sub-conscious wants to believe.  In essence, we will see what we want to see.

Here's what I saw:

Felix Baumgartner is challenging "unbreakable" preconceptions.

Felix Baumgartner is rewriting history.

Felix Baumgartner has unyielding ambition and guts.

Felix Baumgartner leapt from his balloon.

Felix Baumgartner inspired millions worldwide.

Here's what I believed:

I can challenge "unbreakable" preconceptions.

I can rewrite history.

With unyielding ambition and guts,

I can leap from my comfort zone and

Inspire myself and others.

Felix's jump did a lot more than simply break a world-record.

He reminded us about what is possible.