I'm glad that it didn't take as long to get Shepard off the

Hear, O seekers of meaning, the words of Audie Murphy, soldier, actor, and reluctant hero, who once jested: “I’m glad that it didn’t take as long to get Shepard off the ground as it’s taken this series. I’d begun to think the Congo would be ahead of us in the space race before Whispering Smith ever got on the air.” What seems at first a light remark carries within it the pulse of an age—the era of rockets and television, of nations striving toward the heavens, and of men caught between history’s grandeur and the delays of worldly affairs.

Murphy spoke these words in reference to his television project, Whispering Smith, whose production was long and troubled. With humor, he compared the endless waiting for its release to the swifter triumph of Alan Shepard, the first American astronaut to break free of the earth’s grasp in 1961. Thus, Murphy’s quip joins two realms: the struggle of art and the struggle of science, reminding us that delay and frustration are not strangers to any endeavor, whether humble or heroic.

The origin of the quote rests in a time of fierce competition—the space race, where America and the Soviet Union fought not with armies, but with rockets, each seeking to prove mastery of the skies. To be “ahead” was to command the pride of nations. Murphy, with the wit of a weary actor, invoked even the newly independent Congo, suggesting in jest that even the most unlikely competitor might surpass his stalled series. His words, though playful, reveal the frustration all mortals feel when their labors are delayed, when dreams are caught in chains of waiting.

History offers many such moments. Consider the long journey of Christopher Columbus, who waited years for support from Spain’s monarchs before sailing west. Nations delayed, doubted, and rejected him. Yet at last, the ships departed, and the voyage remade the world. Like Murphy’s complaint, Columbus knew the sting of waiting while the world seemed to race ahead. The lesson is eternal: in all great works—whether voyages, spaceflights, or stories told on screens—delay is part of the trial, and patience is the crucible of endurance.

And yet, Murphy’s jest also contains admiration. In praising the swift flight of Shepard, he honored the courage of those who, unlike his struggling producers, had already broken barriers and claimed victory in the stars. His words carry irony, yes, but also reverence, for he himself was a man who had known great struggle and great triumph in the battlefield. He understood that achievement, whether in war, in art, or in exploration, demands both daring and discipline.

Therefore, O listener, the lesson is clear: though delay may mock your spirit, do not let frustration become despair. All undertakings, whether vast like the space race or modest like a television show, must endure obstacles. Sometimes, the heavens seem easier to conquer than the trials of earth. Yet even in jest, Murphy reminds us that perseverance is the only road to triumph. The rockets will fly, the ships will sail, the stories will be told—if only the spirit endures.

Practical action lies before you. When your labor stalls, do not measure your worth against the speed of others. Instead, keep faith with your vision. Honor those who achieve quickly, but do not scorn yourself if your path is slower. Remember that even the stars took ages to form, yet now they shine with eternal brilliance. So too with your work: let patience and persistence guard your heart, until at last your moment comes.

So remember the humor and wisdom of Audie Murphy: he who joked that the Congo might win the space race before his series aired, spoke not only of delay but of resilience. His words remind us to laugh in hardship, to honor those who succeed, and to never abandon the work that is ours to do. For in time, all struggles—whether on the battlefield, the stage, or in the heavens—find their hour of victory.