Thirteen years ago today, the world received some startling news. North Korea launched a rocket carrying a satellite called Kwangmyŏngsŏng-2, Bright Star-2 in English. The rocket passed over mainland Japan and forced the world's nations to ask if the next one would be carrying something more sinister. I remember the news. I remember the weeks of fearful things beaming from the TV and printed on checkout line magazines. I remember thinking the anxiety would never pass.
Ring any bells? Now here in another season of fearful things and anxious nights, I remember the last time I thought things might never get better, and they did. Over and over, people find out they are stronger than they know. No crisis can win. The pandemic will not last, the supply chain shortages will not last, and the world-shaking war in Europe will not last. However, the growth we as people and an industry have found amid the turmoil will.