'Know, love and believe in what you're doing'

 “If you want to be successful, it's just this simple. Know what you are doing. Love what you are doing. And believe in what you are doing.” – Will Rogers

Eighty-nine years ago today Rogers, one of America's great humorists and homespun philosophers, died in a plane crash with aviator Wiley Post as they were flying in Alaska.  At the time, he was perhaps as well known – if not more well known – than any figure in the world.

Born in Oklahoma Territory in 1879, Rogers was noted for his saying, "I never met a man I didn't like." As a columnist and speaker his almost daily sayings about everything from culture to politics were known around the globe, many shared in his more than 4,000 newspaper essays.   He also did hundreds of talks on a weekly syndicated radio show and appeared in more than 50 movies. 

 

I put 15-year-old Will Rogers into my historical novel And The Wind Whispered based on a real life adventure he became embroiled in during a trip to the Southern Black Hills with two Oklahoma ranching friends.  Following the publication of that novel, I was invited to visit the Rogers boyhood home and tour the Will Rogers Museum in Claremore, OK.  Both were wonderful experiences and a great opportunity to learn even more of Rogers’ life and writings.  

           

“Half our life is spent trying to find something to do with the time we have rushed through life trying to save,” Rogers once said.   “Remember, even if you are on the right track, you will get run over if you just sit there.”