I chased my dreams. In the end, find what gets you excited and

“I chased my dreams. In the end, find what gets you excited and chase it.” Thus spoke Guion Bluford, the trailblazing astronaut, engineer, and pilot — the first African American to soar beyond the boundaries of Earth. His words shine like a star across the sky of human aspiration, a call to the restless hearts of dreamers everywhere. In this simple yet profound statement, Bluford reminds us that life’s nobility lies in pursuit, that meaning is not found in comfort or conformity, but in the fire that burns within — the excitement that awakens the spirit and drives it toward greatness.

The origin of this quote is rooted in a life of courage and determination. Born in an era when few doors were open to him, Guion Bluford dreamed not of what was permitted, but of what was possible. He pursued his passion for flight with an unbreakable will, earning degrees in aerospace engineering and serving as a fighter pilot before being selected as a NASA astronaut. In 1983, aboard the Challenger, he broke through both the stratosphere and the barriers of history, becoming the first Black American to journey into space. Yet his triumph was not born from ease or privilege — it was the result of a lifetime spent chasing the dream that set his soul aflame. His words, then, are not mere advice but a creed tested in the fires of perseverance and faith.

To chase your dreams is to step onto the sacred path of purpose, a path that demands both courage and sacrifice. Many live quietly, waiting for life to reveal meaning; few dare to seek it for themselves. But Bluford, like the heroes of old, reminds us that excitement — the trembling thrill of passion — is not a luxury, but a compass. The things that stir the heart are signs from destiny, pointing toward the work we were born to do. The wise soul listens to that inner stirring, while the timid ignore it and drift into mediocrity. To live without pursuit is to die without ever having lived.

History has shown that the greatest achievements of humanity have sprung from such sacred pursuits. Consider Leonardo da Vinci, who chased his endless curiosity — from painting to anatomy to flight — and in so doing, bridged the worlds of art and science. Or Marie Curie, who followed her fascination with the invisible forces of nature, despite poverty and prejudice, and gave the world the gift of discovery. Like Bluford, they understood that excitement is the language of the soul, the energy that connects human effort to divine creation. Those who chase their excitement, no matter the cost, tap into the very essence of greatness.

Bluford’s words also speak to the universality of dreaming. Though he reached the stars, his lesson is for all who walk the earth. Not every dream leads to space, yet every heart contains its own cosmos — the unique constellation of talents, callings, and longings that define its purpose. To chase one’s dream is not about fame or grandeur; it is about alignment — the harmony between one’s work and one’s essence. The farmer who loves his land, the teacher who shapes young minds, the artist who paints the unseen — all who labor in passion walk the same divine road. The only tragedy is not to fail, but to never begin the pursuit.

Yet the path of pursuit is not free of hardship. To chase one’s dream is to face resistance — from the world, from doubt, and often from within. Bluford himself encountered barriers of race, skepticism, and fear. But he teaches us that persistence is the guardian of the dream. The one who continues forward, even when progress seems impossible, discovers that the dream itself transforms the dreamer. It is not only the prize at the end that matters, but the strength, wisdom, and clarity forged in the chase. The stars may seem distant, but it is the act of reaching that makes us celestial.

So let this be your lesson, passed down like fire through the ages: find what excites your spirit, and pursue it without hesitation. Do not seek the approval of others, nor the promise of ease. Follow instead the quiet voice within that says, “This is what I was born to do.” Begin where you are, however small the step. For as Bluford’s life shows, no dream is too vast for the soul that dares to chase it. Passion is the spark; persistence is the flight. Together, they will carry you farther than you can imagine.

And in the end, when you have walked the long road of pursuit — whether you have built empires or simply lived true to your calling — you will stand, as Guion Bluford did, not in the shadow of others’ approval, but in the light of your own fulfillment. For the measure of a life well lived is this: that you chased your dream with all your heart, and in doing so, discovered the vastness of your own sky.