TWENTY YEARS LATER
It was Columbus who discovered America—this six-word sentence can now be said by anyone in less than six seconds. However, to make this event happen, Columbus had to spend twenty tough years.
Christopher Columbus, born in Italy in 1451 and who died in Spain in 1506, sought assistance from King John II of Portugal in 1484 for his sea expedition. However, the King of Portugal considered it unworthy and declined to help.
Columbus then sought help from Queen Isabella of Castile, but he received no positive response there either. Nevertheless, Columbus kept trying until, after eight years, the Queen provided him with ships and supplies.
On August 13, 1492, Columbus embarked on his first voyage with three ships. However, he did not reach the shores of America during this trip. Despite numerous challenges and hardships, Columbus stayed committed to his mission.
Finally, after his fourth voyage, Columbus successfully discovered the “New World” in 1504 (Encyclopaedia Britannica, Vol. 10, p. 691). Before Columbus, the world was divided into two parts. His discovery united both the “New” and “Old” Worlds into one. It was undoubtedly a monumental achievement, but it was only possible because Columbus and his companions, without losing hope, persevered for 20 years to complete this difficult mission.
This is the path to achieve success in this world. Every success here requires “20 years” of effort. Without this, no meaningful success can be achieved.
Success in this world always comes after a long struggle. A person starts with less and then reaches greater heights.
Neil Armstrong was the first person to travel to the moon. On July 21, 1969, he descended from the lunar module named Eagle and stepped onto the moon’s surface. At that time, there was a direct communication link between Earth and the moon. After landing, the first message he sent to Earth was:
“That’s one small step for [a] man, one giant leap for mankind.”
Armstrong meant that my landing on the moon at that moment might seem like just one person stepping onto the lunar surface. However, it marks the start of a new cosmic era. By safely landing on the moon, it would be proven that lunar travel is possible for humanity. This discovery will pave the way for further advancements, leading to a time when ordinary people will travel from one planet to another just as they travel across Earth today.
Every major achievement in the world follows this pattern. First, one person or a few people make sacrifices to achieve a breakthrough. In doing so, they create a new path for humanity’s journey. This initial effort is extremely difficult; it’s like moving a mountain. But once this initial work is done, the rest becomes much easier. A wide path then appears, allowing many people to travel along it.
When a farmer plants a seed in the ground, it may seem like a “small step” toward his goal, but this small step marks the start of his agricultural journey. This journey continues until the field is filled with a full harvest. This approach applies to all human efforts, whether in farming, gardening, or any other field.
