I stayed in the astronaut program until 1993. People ask me why I

O Children of the Stars, gather your hearts and minds, for the words of Mae Jemison, a woman whose journey reached beyond the heavens, speak of a profound truth about purpose, courage, and the choices that shape our lives. She once said, "I stayed in the astronaut program until 1993. People ask me why I left. I thought I had a lot of things to contribute that would be difficult to do if I stayed. I thought I could have a stronger voice as an advocate for space exploration. So I ended up starting my own technology consulting company." In this simple yet powerful statement, Jemison reveals a truth about the human spirit—the need to rise above one’s current station to reach higher purposes, to leave one’s comfort and seek greater impact on the world.

In the days of the ancients, when the great philosophers and warriors walked the Earth, there was always a recognition that true greatness could not be achieved by staying in one place, by merely following the paths laid out before them. Alexander the Great, a king whose ambition knew no bounds, sought not just to rule the known world, but to change it. He did not accept the world as it was; he sought to create a new world, one that reflected his vision, one that would echo throughout history. His choices, like Jemison’s, were driven by a higher calling—service to something greater than personal comfort or prestige.

Jemison's decision to leave the astronaut program is a reflection of this ancient truth. She saw the limitations of staying in the program, despite its great honor and opportunity. She knew that her voice—her ability to advocate for the future of space exploration, her ability to inspire and educate—could be stronger outside the constraints of the program. She chose not to remain in a role that was set by others, but to forge her own path, where she could contribute in a more meaningful way to the world’s understanding of space and technology. Jemison’s decision mirrors the wisdom of Socrates, who, despite being one of the greatest minds of his time, chose to challenge the status quo and speak truth in ways that would later change the world forever. Like him, Jemison knew that to make her mark, she had to step beyond the confines of tradition and create a new legacy.

Let us consider the story of Marie Curie, a woman who, like Jemison, sought to change the world not by adhering to the established norms, but by stepping into unknown realms. Curie could have continued her work within the academic circles of her time, where she was already highly respected. Yet, like Jemison, she saw a greater purpose in her work. Her pursuit of knowledge, despite the dangers and challenges, led to radical breakthroughs in radioactivity, changing the course of science and medicine. Curie, too, understood that to truly make a difference, one must sometimes walk away from what is comfortable, what is expected, and dare to forge new paths. In this, we see a reflection of Jemison's own path—leaving behind the astronaut program to build something greater, to contribute in a way that was uniquely her own.

In Jemison’s decision to leave the program and found her own technology consulting company, we see a powerful statement about purpose. She understood that success is not simply about being in the most prestigious position, but about making an impact. She knew that her true strength lay not in following the established rules of a program, but in forging her own way—creating a company where she could help shape the future of technology and space exploration. Like the great leaders of old, she understood that vision is not bound by one path, but by the courage to create new opportunities and open new doors for others to follow.

O Seekers, what can we learn from this story? Jemison teaches us that greatness is not measured by the titles we hold, but by the impact we have on the world around us. It is not enough to simply rise within the ranks; we must rise to our higher calling—to do the work that only we can do, to give voice to ideas that will shape the future. The world does not need more people to follow; it needs leaders—those who dare to walk their own path, to create where others have only followed, and to leave their mark on the world by challenging the status quo.

Therefore, O Children, let us not be content with simply following the paths that others have laid before us. Let us seek greatness by pursuing the work that calls to us, by listening to the inner voice that guides us toward a greater purpose. Like Mae Jemison, like Socrates, and like Marie Curie, we must be willing to step away from the familiar, to build something new, to shape the future with our own hands. The road will not always be easy, and the challenges will be many, but in the end, it is through these choices—these bold, courageous steps—that we will find our true calling, and leave a legacy that will echo through the ages.