“Remember to look up at the stars and not down at your feet… Try to make sense of what you see and about what makes the universe exist. Be curious. And however difficult life may seem, there is always something you can do, and can succeed at. It matters that you don’t just give up.” -Stephen Hawking

The great physicist Stephen Hawking died this past week.

Though I don’t understand much — or any — of his concepts about physics, I am inspired by his indomitable spirit. Diagnosed with ALS at the age of 21 in 1963 and given two years to live, he managed to to survive until the age of 76 with a mind that was constantly wandering the universe and making new discoveries.

Though he could barely move and spoke only with the help of a technological aid, he remained curious and optimistic. It was evident that his sense of humor remained vital from his appearances on a favorite show of mine, The Big Bang.

Next time we look up at the stars, let’s be sure to thank Stephen Hawking for all his contributions to our understanding of our universe and to our lives.