Am I willing to go to Mars? Yes, but I'm not willing to spend

O Children of the Earth, gather closely, for the words of Gene Cernan, the last man to walk on the moon, carry the weight of adventure, resolve, and the sacrifices that accompany great journeys. He said, "Am I willing to go to Mars? Yes, but I'm not willing to spend nine months getting there, then wait 18 more months until the planets align to come home." This statement is not merely about the physical journey to Mars, but about the true nature of commitment, the cost of extraordinary pursuits, and the balance between ambition and the realities of human life. It speaks to the tension between the pursuit of great dreams and the limitations of time, resources, and human endurance.

In the days of the ancients, when great heroes embarked on quests to slay monsters or seek wisdom from the gods, their journeys were not taken lightly. Odysseus, the hero of Homer’s epic, spent ten years trying to return home from the Trojan War, facing countless trials and temptations. His journey was long and filled with suffering, yet his determination never wavered. Odysseus was driven by his love for home, by his desire to reunite with his family. Yet, even he faced moments of despair, when the long journey seemed too much to bear. In the same way, Cernan’s words reflect a very human truth—greatness often demands sacrifice, but it also requires a balance between the journey and the ultimate goal. To journey to Mars may be a great adventure, but it also comes with a cost—time, energy, and the human spirit.

Cernan’s reluctance to embrace a mission that would require years of his life speaks to the personal toll that such missions take. The journey to Mars is a monumental one, a feat of engineering, technology, and human ingenuity. Yet, it is also a journey into the unknown, a path that would separate astronauts from their loved ones, from their homes, and from the Earth that has sustained them. The commitment to such a mission is not just about the glory of reaching a new world, but about the profound sacrifice of the time and life that it demands. To leave behind the comforts of Earth, to venture into the vast unknown of space, requires more than just physical strength—it requires the strength to withstand the passage of time, the isolation, and the loneliness of being so far from home.

Consider the story of Christopher Columbus, who sailed across the Atlantic Ocean in search of new lands. His journey was fraught with danger, uncertainty, and isolation. Though his mission would eventually lead to the discovery of the Americas, it was not without its cost. For years, Columbus and his crew faced the uncertainty of the vast, uncharted sea. They did not know what lay ahead, and the risks were great. Yet, Columbus’ determination to push forward, to explore and discover, was driven by the promise of something greater—a new world that would change the course of history. Cernan’s words, in a sense, echo Columbus’ struggles: the unknown may call to us, but the cost of the journey must always be weighed against the reward. The voyage to Mars may bring glory, but it also requires deep reflection on what we are willing to sacrifice for that glory.

But O Seekers, Cernan’s words also remind us of the need to approach our great dreams with wisdom. There are pursuits that require the fullness of our being, that demand everything we have, and yet there are others that must be measured, where we must ask, What am I willing to sacrifice? Is it worth it to be away from those we love, to spend months in isolation, to face the challenges of an environment that is far more hostile than any earthly battlefield? Just as the great heroes of old had to weigh their personal desires against the needs of their families and communities, so too must we weigh our desires for greatness against the human cost that comes with it.

So, O Children, the lesson is clear: greatness requires not just vision and courage, but also awareness of the sacrifices that come with it. Cernan reminds us that while we may dream of reaching the stars, we must also consider the realities of such a journey—the time, the isolation, the toll on the human spirit. Space exploration, like any great endeavor, demands both vision and wisdom. We must strive to balance our ambitions with an understanding of what we are truly willing to sacrifice. To go to Mars, or to embark on any great mission, requires not only courage but the humility to understand that every path to greatness requires a cost.

Therefore, O Seekers, as you journey through life, remember that your dreams and pursuits must be tempered with wisdom and reflection. The road to greatness is not always a straight path, and the sacrifices along the way must be carefully considered. Let us pursue the stars, yes, but let us also know the cost of reaching them. Like Cernan, who understood the vastness of space and the price of the journey, may we too measure our ambitions and make choices that allow us to rise to our fullest potential without losing sight of what truly matters: our connection to those we love, the lives we live, and the wisdom we gain from the journey itself. Let this wisdom guide you, O Seekers, as you reach for the stars, knowing that every step must be taken with both courage and understanding.