Paying tributes to the man who taught us to think outside the box – Albert Einstein! Sharing some of his letters and the lessons they provide for managing this wacky thing we call life.
Letter to his son, Hans Albert (February 5, 1930)
“Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.”
It’s important to keep moving forward & persevere even when faced with obstacles, maintaining a balance while making progress.
Letter to President Roosevelt (August 2, 1939)
Einstein’s most famous letter, in which he warns President Roosevelt about the potential military applications of nuclear fission. “Some recent work by E. Fermi and L. Szilard, which has been communicated to me in manuscript, leads me to expect that the element uranium may be turned into a new and important source of energy in the immediate future.”
The importance of being proactive in identifying & addressing potential threats before they become major problems cannot be overstated.
Letter to his close friend, Michele Besso (December 10, 1953)
In this letter, Einstein reflects on the passing of his friend’s wife and expresses his condolences. He also muses about the nature of time and the human experience of mortality. He wrote, “Now he has departed from this strange world a little ahead of me. That means nothing. People like us, who believe in physics, know that the distinction between past, present, and future is only a stubbornly persistent illusion.”
Time is a precious and limited resource, and it’s important to make the most of every moment.
Letter to his sister, Maja (January 30, 1937)
In this letter, Einstein discusses his thoughts on pacifism and the danger of war. He writes, “All those who love freedom must organize to resist the forces which threaten to annul it.”
It’s important to stand up for what we believe in and take action to protect our values and freedoms. We should organize with like-minded individuals to resist threats to our way of life and advocate for positive change.
Letter to a young girl who asked if scientists pray (January 24, 1936)
“Scientists believe that every occurrence, including the affairs of human beings, is due to the laws of nature. Therefore a scientist cannot be inclined to believe that the course of events can be influenced by prayer, that is, by a supernaturally manifested wish.”
We should approach life with a sense of curiosity and wonder, and appreciate the mysteries of the universe around us. It’s important to maintain a scientific mindset and base our beliefs on evidence and rational thought, rather than superstition or wishful thinking.
So let’s raise a glass of E=mc²ola in honor of Einstein and his timeless lessons on life management. Remember, even when things get chaotic, just keep calm and do some physics!
Shines & Shadows 