A trip to space is a big motivator to give up some things in your

Hear the words of Mark Kelly, astronaut and voyager beyond the clouds, who spoke with clarity of sacrifice and reward: “A trip to space is a big motivator to give up some things in your personal life. Obviously, you can’t give up everything and you don’t want to.” These words shine with the wisdom of one who has touched the infinite yet knows the cost of reaching it. They remind us that the pursuit of great endeavors requires sacrifice, yet not the surrender of all that makes life human. Balance, not abandonment, is the key to true achievement.

The origin of this thought lies in Kelly’s own life as an astronaut. To travel to space, one must endure years of training, long absences from family, grueling physical and mental tests, and constant risk. Many comforts must be laid aside: time at home, ordinary pleasures, the daily presence of loved ones. Yet these sacrifices are not made for nothing—they are the price of stepping into the heavens, of advancing human destiny. Kelly admits the truth that all great pursuits demand something of us, yet he also guards against extremity: not everything can or should be abandoned, for to lose all is to lose the very soul for which achievement matters.

The ancients too understood this principle. Consider the athletes of Greece, who trained for the Olympic games. They denied themselves rich food, sleep, and leisure, all to gain a crown of olive leaves. Yet even in their discipline, they did not give up all joys of life, for man is not a machine but a being of flesh, heart, and spirit. Too much denial leaves the body strong but the soul barren. Thus, the balance Kelly speaks of is timeless: sacrifice enough to reach your goal, but never so much that you lose the humanity that makes the goal worth reaching.

History offers the example of Marie Curie, who devoted her life to the study of radioactivity. She sacrificed safety, rest, and much of her health to uncover secrets that transformed science. Yet even she, amidst her work, clung to the bonds of family, raising her daughters with love and guiding them toward greatness. Her life mirrors Kelly’s teaching: one must give up much to reach extraordinary heights, but not all—for the bonds of love and the joys of life are treasures no achievement can replace.

The meaning of Kelly’s words is both heroic and tender. They proclaim that true greatness does not come cheaply—it requires sacrifice, discipline, and focus. Yet they also warn against the danger of total sacrifice, which can turn triumph into emptiness. To give up wisely is to live with purpose; to give up everything is to destroy the very roots of meaning. The journey to space thus becomes a metaphor for all human striving: we must rise, but we must also remain grounded in the things of the heart.

The lesson is clear: in every pursuit, weigh what you must release, and what you must hold fast. Do not fear sacrifice, for nothing noble is gained without cost. But also, do not surrender what is sacred, for without love, friendship, and joy, your victory will taste of ashes. The wise man knows when to let go and when to cling, and in this balance, he finds both success and fulfillment.

Practical actions flow from this wisdom. Examine your goals, whether they are as grand as reaching space or as humble as mastering a craft. Ask yourself: what habits, comforts, or distractions must I give up to rise higher? And also ask: what relationships, values, or joys must I never release, lest I lose myself? Build your life upon this balance. Sacrifice with courage, but also preserve with reverence. For it is not only the stars that matter, but also the warmth of the hearth to which you return.

Thus, Kelly’s words become eternal counsel: great journeys demand sacrifice, but not total abandonment. Strive upward with strength, let go of what hinders you, but hold fast to what anchors your soul. In this way, you will not only reach the stars, but return to earth with both triumph and humanity intact.