It takes a couple of years just to get the background and

The words of Sally Ride, the first American woman to journey into space, are both humble and heroic: “It takes a couple of years just to get the background and knowledge that you need before you can go into detailed training for your mission.” In this phrase, she reveals a truth that transcends spaceflight and speaks to all great endeavors: before the heights are reached, the foundations must be laid; before the mission is accomplished, the years of unseen preparation must be endured. For greatness is never born in haste—it is cultivated in patience, discipline, and devotion.

The origin of this statement lies in Ride’s own experience as an astronaut. When she was selected by NASA in 1978, she did not step immediately into the shuttle’s cockpit. She first spent years learning the sciences, mastering the systems of the spacecraft, absorbing every detail of engineering and physics. Only after this groundwork was she permitted to enter into the training that would prepare her body and mind for the extreme demands of space. Her words remind us that even the most gifted soul cannot leap into the heavens without first building the solid staircase of knowledge.

History testifies to this same principle. Consider the story of Leonardo da Vinci, who painted the Last Supper and designed machines centuries ahead of his time. His genius did not blossom overnight. It was the fruit of years spent dissecting, sketching, studying nature, and gathering background knowledge that allowed his artistry and invention to flourish. Or reflect on military leaders like Alexander the Great, who spent his youth under the tutelage of Aristotle before ever commanding armies. The greatness of their missions was made possible only by the preparation of their early years.

Sally Ride’s wisdom also speaks against the impatience of our age. Many long for swift results, for triumph without toil, for victory without sacrifice. But she reminds us that even for the most daring missions—whether to conquer the stars, to write a book, to build a movement, or to heal a nation—one must spend long years in preparation. The mission is not simply an act of courage; it is an act of discipline, built on the hidden hours when no one is watching, when knowledge is gathered grain by grain like sand in the hourglass.

O seekers of truth, hear this: the one who rushes into the mission without preparation will stumble. The one who despises background and knowledge will falter when the test comes. But the one who patiently gathers wisdom, who studies diligently, who honors the unseen years, will stand firm when the trial arrives. This is why Ride’s words shine not only for astronauts, but for all who wish to achieve something noble.

The lesson is clear. Do not be disheartened by the years of preparation, for they are not wasted—they are the very soil from which success grows. If your dream seems far, remember that the years of learning are part of the dream itself. Each book you study, each skill you acquire, each discipline you endure is another step closer to the day when you are ready for your detailed training, and beyond that, your mission.

Practical action lies before you: embrace patience, seek mentors, and commit yourself to long learning. Do not despise small beginnings. Build your foundation of knowledge with diligence, for it is this foundation that will hold the weight of your dreams. When the time of testing comes, you will discover that your years of preparation have given you the strength to rise, the wisdom to act, and the courage to endure.

Thus let Sally Ride’s words echo in your heart: “It takes a couple of years just to get the background and knowledge that you need before you can go into detailed training for your mission.” This is not merely a truth of astronauts—it is the truth of all who aspire to greatness. Take it to heart, and you too may one day find yourself ready for the mission life has prepared for you.