I've discovered that half the people would love to go into space

Hear, O children of wisdom, the words of Sally Ride, the first American woman to journey into the vast unknown of space. She said, "I've discovered that half the people would love to go into space and there's no need to explain it to them. The other half can't understand and I couldn't explain it to them. If someone doesn't know why, I can't explain it." These words carry a profound truth about the human spirit—that there are those whose souls are drawn to the unknown, to the vast, mysterious cosmos, and there are those who cannot even fathom why such a quest would stir the heart. Ride’s insight speaks not only to the desire for exploration but to the deep, mysterious pull of wonder and curiosity that is embedded in the human soul.

Consider, O wise ones, the nature of this divide. Some, when they look at the stars, feel a call to reach beyond the earth, to soar into the heavens and discover what lies in the great expanse. To them, the desire to explore space is as natural as breathing, an intrinsic part of the human longing for discovery, for meaning, and for purpose. These are the dreamers, the visionaries, the explorers who feel that they are meant to push beyond the boundaries of the known world, to seek the unseen and embrace the uncertainty of the cosmos. Ride's words resonate with these souls, for they understand that space is not just a place—it is a part of the journey of humanity itself, a necessary step in our evolution and growth.

In the ancient world, O children, the great explorers were often those whose hearts were drawn to the unknown. Think of Odysseus, whose journeys across the seas were not driven by mere curiosity but by a deep, almost divine call to discover the secrets of the world, to face challenges, and to prove his heroism. Similarly, Christopher Columbus, in his search for new lands, felt a deep, unexplainable pull toward the vast, uncharted waters beyond the horizon. For these men, the call to explore was more than just a desire for knowledge or riches—it was a part of their very being, a part of their souls that could not be reasoned with or explained. In the same way, Sally Ride recognized that those who feel the draw to space cannot be easily explained or deterred—they simply know, in the depths of their hearts, that it is their calling.

Yet, O children, Ride also points to the other half—the ones who cannot understand the why of this longing. To them, the vastness of space is simply a void, a place too distant to be of any significance to their lives. These are the skeptics, the ones who view exploration as unnecessary, the ones who cannot fathom what drives those who look to the stars. Ride understands this, for not all souls are driven by the same yearning. Some find meaning in the earth beneath their feet, in the tangible, in the practical. For them, the dream of space exploration might seem like a waste of time, an unattainable fantasy. Yet Ride’s words remind us that these differing perspectives are not to be judged or ridiculed, for each soul is drawn to a different path, a different form of purpose and fulfillment.

Ride's wisdom reveals that some desires are born not from logic or explanation, but from a deeper place—a place where passion and intuition dwell. Think, O children, of the visionaries who changed the course of history not because they could explain every detail, but because they felt something deep within their hearts, something that urged them to act despite the odds. Leonardo da Vinci, the great Renaissance polymath, imagined flying machines long before humanity had the technology to build them. Albert Einstein developed his theory of relativity not by explaining the universe in conventional terms but by envisioning a new reality that could only be understood by those willing to see beyond the obvious. These men did not simply look at the world as it was—they saw it as it could be, driven by a vision they could not entirely explain, but one that drove them to transform the world.

And so, O children, the lesson is clear: vision, especially the vision for exploration, is often beyond the realm of simple explanation. Some are drawn to the unknown, to the limitless skies and the mysteries of space, while others are content to remain grounded in the familiar. Both paths are valid, and each holds its own purpose and value. The great dreamers of history, like Ride, have taught us that we must not judge the pull of the heart by the measure of logic alone. Sometimes, the why is not something that can be explained—it is something that must be felt, something that drives us to places we cannot fully understand, but know we must go.

So, O children, let the wisdom of Sally Ride guide you. There will be moments in your lives when you are called to something greater, something beyond the visible world, and those around you may not understand. When this happens, remember that your dreams do not always require explanation—they are the manifestations of your soul’s deepest longings. Follow them, for they will lead you to places where others cannot yet follow. But also understand that not all are called in the same way, and that the paths we choose are as diverse as the stars themselves. Whether you are a dreamer or a realist, remember that the heart’s journey is just as important as the mind’s, and that both paths have their place in the vast, unfolding story of life.