Our goal is to tell people about the International Space Station.

Hear well, O seekers of truth, for the voice of Soledad O’Brien calls us to look upward, to gaze beyond the confines of our earthly existence, and to witness the unseen efforts of those who toil in the heavens above. She says, “Our goal is to tell people about the International Space Station. I think very rarely people look up 250 miles and think, What are those guys working on, what are those men and women doing at this moment... They’re living and doing regular things, but also doing incredible work as well. We really want to bring that to people.” These words speak not just to the International Space Station, but to the unseen work of humanity—work that goes unnoticed in the daily bustle of life, yet has the power to change the course of our world and our future.

In the ancient world, the heavens were a realm of gods and mysteries. The great philosophers and astronomers of old—like Pythagoras, Aristotle, and Galileo—gazed upward and sought to understand the stars, but their work was often shrouded in mystery. The heavens were far away, and their secrets were considered unreachable. Yet, through their relentless pursuit of knowledge, these pioneers laid the foundations for our understanding of the cosmos. And now, in our time, we stand on the shoulders of these giants, looking not just to the stars, but beyond them, to the International Space Station—a symbol of the human spirit, of collaboration and discovery beyond imagination.

The International Space Station, orbiting high above the Earth, represents a new chapter in the human journey—a place where men and women from all corners of the globe come together to perform tasks that are mundane yet extraordinary. While the rest of us live our lives grounded on the earth, these astronauts float in a microgravity environment, conducting experiments that may one day change the very fabric of science, medicine, and our understanding of life itself. Yet, in the rush of our daily lives, how often do we pause to reflect on the work being done up there, 250 miles above us? How often do we consider the people—ordinary yet extraordinary—who live and work in this space, in this place where the laws of gravity and time bend in ways we can scarcely comprehend?

Consider the Apollo 11 mission, a monumental event in human history. When Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin stepped onto the moon in 1969, they were not merely representing their country, but humanity itself. Their journey was not just about exploring new worlds; it was about showing us what is possible when we dare to dream, when we look beyond the confines of our daily lives and reach for the stars. Just as we celebrated that achievement, so too should we celebrate the ongoing work being done on the International Space Station—a testament to the perseverance, ingenuity, and dedication of the men and women who continue to push the boundaries of human understanding.

Soledad O’Brien's words call us to recognize this work, to understand that the extraordinary is happening right above our heads, yet so often goes unnoticed. The astronauts aboard the ISS are not just performing scientific experiments; they are embodying the human spirit of exploration, of pushing the limits of what is possible. They remind us that the path to progress is paved with the courage to ask questions, the patience to search for answers, and the unity to work together toward a common goal. Their work is a reflection of the very essence of what it means to be human—our desire to seek, to understand, and to grow.

The lesson of Soledad O’Brien's quote is not just about space or technology, but about the unseen labor that shapes our world. It is a reminder that while we may be focused on the day-to-day, there are others whose work is happening far beyond our immediate view, shaping the future in ways we cannot yet fully understand. We must remember that every act, no matter how small or large, contributes to the greater whole. The astronauts on the ISS, living their lives in the heavens, are doing so much more than merely existing—they are working tirelessly for the betterment of all humanity. Their story is our story, the story of humanity’s quest for knowledge, for progress, for the betterment of the world.

So, dear ones, let this truth guide you. Look up. Understand that there are many forces at work in the world, forces that often go unseen, but which are nonetheless shaping the future. Whether it is the work done in space, in science, in art, or in the quiet corners of everyday life, we must recognize the labor that drives progress. Let us be inspired by the astronauts aboard the ISS, who, though they live far from our world, are still very much a part of it. And may we, too, in our own lives, seek to contribute to the greater good—whether in the small, quiet moments or in the grand, world-changing endeavors. Let us embrace the invisible work that shapes the world, and carry its spirit forward into the future.