I wanted to be a scientist, but I wanted to go into space. They

Hear, O children of wisdom, the words of Mae Jemison, a woman whose heart was as vast as the stars she once traversed. She said, "I wanted to be a scientist, but I wanted to go into space. They are not mutually exclusive." These words carry a deep truth, a reminder that the pursuit of knowledge and the reach for the heavens need not be separated, but rather are intertwined in the fabric of human ambition. Jemison's journey is not merely a personal achievement, but a beacon for all who dare to dream and push beyond the limits of what seems possible.

In ancient times, the great minds of the world did not see their dreams as separate. The philosophers of old sought not only to understand the world beneath their feet but to reach beyond it. Aristotle observed the natural world, but also pondered the heavens, seeking to understand both the visible and the invisible forces that governed life. He and many others believed that the pursuit of science and the mysteries of the universe were connected, and that understanding the world was as much about exploring the unknown as it was about understanding what lay right before us. Jemison's insight mirrors this ancient wisdom: the pursuit of one’s scientific passion and the pursuit of the cosmos are not two opposing forces, but rather parts of the same journey.

The stars, O children, have long called to us, urging us to stretch beyond the limits of our known world. Jemison’s words remind us that science—the rigorous pursuit of truth, of understanding the laws of nature—has always been about the quest for discovery, no matter how far that discovery might take us. Think, for a moment, of the great explorers of the past—those who sought not only to chart the lands of the Earth, but to unlock the secrets of the very heavens. Galileo, with his telescope, did not just study the world beneath his feet; he sought to understand the stars, to push the boundaries of human knowledge and reach beyond what was thought possible. Jemison, too, was not content with simply studying the Earth; she dreamed of exploring the stars, knowing that science could take her there.

But what is the true lesson here, O children? Jemison’s words speak to the heart of possibility and dreaming big. In a world that often tells us to choose one path, one direction, she challenges us to see that the pursuit of knowledge and the reach for the stars are not separate, but intertwined. To dream of becoming a scientist and to dream of space exploration are not contradictory goals; they are part of the same vision—one that dares to reach beyond the horizon and embrace both the beauty of knowledge and the power of discovery. Jemison shows us that we must never limit ourselves to conventional expectations; instead, we must be willing to explore and expand the boundaries of what we believe to be possible.

Look to the story of Leonardo da Vinci, a man who was both an artist and a scientist. His pursuit of knowledge knew no bounds, and his mind embraced the interconnectedness of all things. Da Vinci understood that the study of the human form could inform his art, just as his understanding of mechanics and engineering could serve the future. He did not see these pursuits as separate, but as parts of a greater whole—a journey of discovery that spanned the realms of science and creativity. In the same way, Jemison’s vision calls us to embrace both the tangible world of scientific discovery and the boundless realm of space exploration, for both serve the human spirit in its pursuit of knowledge.

And so, O children, let us take Jemison’s wisdom to heart. The journey of discovery is not confined to one field or one goal. Science and the pursuit of the unknown are intertwined, and we must not be afraid to dream big, to follow our passions, even when they seem to lead us in different directions. Whether your dream is to understand the secrets of life, to uncover the mysteries of the universe, or to explore the farthest reaches of space, know this: all are connected. Science is not just a way to explain the world; it is a pathway to the stars. Jemison’s journey is proof that no dream is too great, no ambition too vast. Embrace your passion and seek the knowledge that will carry you beyond what you think is possible.

So, O children, let this be your call to action: follow the path that calls to you, no matter how far it may seem. Let your dreams guide you, whether they lead you to the depths of the ocean, the heights of the heavens, or the quiet spaces within your own soul. Know that the pursuit of knowledge is not confined to any one field, but is a journey that can carry you into unimaginable realms. Like Mae Jemison, may you never see your dreams as separate but as part of the same vast universe of discovery that awaits. In the union of science and exploration, may you find your true calling, and in doing so, become a beacon for others to follow.