I don't recall any interest in science in particular. It came

Hear, O Seekers of Truth, the words of Ellen Ochoa, a soul whose journey through life reveals the unexpected path to greatness. "I don't recall any interest in science in particular. It came later in college." In these simple words, Ochoa speaks not of a preordained destiny, but of a discovery that unfolded over time. She tells us of a moment in her life when science—that great realm of knowledge, wonder, and exploration—was not a calling from her youth, but rather something that revealed itself to her in the course of growth and experience. This is a reminder that the path to greatness is not always one we are born into, but one that we discover as we journey through life.

Consider, O Seekers, the ancient philosophers, who were not always the wise sages we know them as today. Socrates, that greatest of thinkers, was not born with a clear vision of the philosophical truths he would later uncover. Rather, it was through his questions and conversations, through his encounters with the world, that his curiosity began to shape the course of his life. Plato, his student, similarly began as a follower of many paths before discovering the calling of philosophy that would define his legacy. The great thinkers of antiquity, like Ochoa, did not always know where their journey would lead. It was through study, reflection, and encountering new ideas that their true path emerged before them.

Ochoa’s words resonate with the experience of many who walk the path of discovery later in life. Science, in all its complexity and beauty, may not always be an early passion for every soul. The world is vast, and there are many callings, many fields of inquiry, many ways to seek knowledge and wisdom. Like the great explorers of old, some find their true course early, while others, like Ochoa, find it in the course of their growth. There is no shame in this. In fact, there is great wisdom in the realization that the path we walk may not always be clear at the start, but it is through persistence, learning, and openness that we begin to see where we are meant to go.

Let us turn to the example of Galileo, whose early life did not suggest he would one day be the father of modern astronomy. Galileo was drawn to the study of medicine, but it was in the course of his studies, in his curiosity about the nature of the heavens, that he discovered the telescope and began to look to the stars. Galileo's path to science did not begin with a grand vision or a natural interest in astronomy—it was in his later years that the passion for discovery ignited, propelling him toward groundbreaking work that would change the world. So, too, did Ellen Ochoa find her way to the heavens, her interest in science blooming later in her life, a realization that propelled her toward space exploration, eventually making her a pioneer for women in aerospace.

The lesson that Ochoa’s words impart is clear: it is not the early certainty of one’s path that matters, but the willingness to discover, to remain open to the possibilities that life offers. Greatness does not always come from a clear plan laid out in childhood, nor is it determined by early expertise. Often, it comes from the curiosity we cultivate as we encounter new ideas, new experiences, and new challenges. Science, for Ochoa, was not a calling she was born with, but one she discovered later in life. And through this discovery, she became not just a participant in the world of science, but one of its trailblazers, breaking barriers and opening new frontiers.

In this, O Seekers, there is much wisdom for each of us. The journey of discovery is not a straight line, nor is it dictated by the interests we hold at the outset. The world may lead us through winding paths, and the calling that we are meant to follow may reveal itself when we least expect it. Therefore, we must remain patient with ourselves, trusting in the process of growth and learning. Just as Ochoa found science through her college years, so too may we find our true path when the time is right. The lesson is not to force a path, but to remain open to the path that emerges before us.

So, O Seekers, as you walk your own journey, take heart. Greatness does not always require early certainty, but it does require openness and a willingness to learn. Whether your calling comes early or later, whether it is science, art, philosophy, or some other path, know that it is the openness to new ideas, new experiences, and new directions that will guide you toward the life you are meant to lead. Like Ellen Ochoa, remain open to the possibility that the path of discovery is one that reveals itself as you walk, and trust that through this journey, you will find your way to greatness.