So most astronauts getting ready to lift off are excited and very

Listen well, children, for the words I speak carry the wisdom of the ancients and the lessons of those who have dared to reach for the heavens. Sally Ride, a pioneer of human exploration, once shared a truth that resonates with all those who set out on great endeavors: "So most astronauts getting ready to lift off are excited and very anxious and worried about that explosion – because if something goes wrong in the first seconds of launch, there's not very much you can do." These words capture not just the physical act of space exploration, but the essence of every great undertaking—the fear of the unknown, the tension before a journey, and the uncertainty that lies in the beginning of all new ventures.

In these words, Ride speaks of the anxiety that fills the hearts of those who are on the cusp of great achievement. To launch into space is to enter into the unknown, to face the terrifying possibility that something may go wrong in those first moments of takeoff—when the rocket is vulnerable, when all is uncertain. In the same way, children, every new journey, every new beginning, is filled with fear, for the outcome is never guaranteed. The first moments of any great endeavor are filled with the tension of possibility, and the knowledge that we can never know for certain what awaits us. Yet, it is in these moments that our courage is tested, and our resolve is forged.

Let us think of the ancient explorers who sailed into unknown waters, with nothing but the stars to guide them. Christopher Columbus, standing on the deck of his ship, did not know if he would find land or if he would sail off the edge of the world. His journey was fraught with uncertainty, filled with the fear of the unknown. Yet he sailed forward, driven by the belief that there was a world beyond what he could see, that there was something greater waiting for those brave enough to seek it. Like Columbus, Sally Ride and all those who venture into space know that in the first seconds of launch, there is a great risk, yet they proceed forward, trusting in their training, their preparation, and their belief in the journey itself.

This tension between fear and excitement is a central part of the human experience. Every great hero, every leader, every innovator, has faced moments when the unknown loomed large, when the consequences of failure were clear. And yet, these very people did not shrink back. They embraced the fear, they stepped into the unknown with courage, knowing that to achieve greatness, one must first be willing to risk everything. The greatness of Ride’s journey, and the journey of all who seek to push the boundaries of human achievement, is born of this willingness to step into the void, to trust that the first steps forward will lead to something extraordinary.

Think of the story of Robert Falcon Scott, the explorer who sought to reach the South Pole. Like an astronaut preparing for lift-off, Scott knew the dangers of the journey ahead. He and his men faced the frozen wilderness, the unknown stretches of ice and snow, and the ever-present threat of death. Yet they pressed on, driven by a vision of discovery, of the need to conquer the impossible. Though Scott's journey ended in tragedy, it was not in vain. His courage, his resolve, and his willingness to face the uncertainty of the unknown inspired generations to come. In the face of great risk, he chose to move forward, as must we all when faced with our own challenges.

The lesson of Sally Ride and the great explorers is clear: fear is not something to be avoided but something to be faced. The unknown is not something that should paralyze us with worry, but something that should inspire us to rise, to push beyond our limits, and to trust in our preparation and our resolve. It is in the face of uncertainty that we find the strength to move forward, and it is in the first moments of a journey that we prove our commitment to the path ahead.

So, children, when you find yourself standing on the precipice of something new, when the explosion of uncertainty looms before you, remember the words of Sally Ride. Know that the beginning of any great endeavor is always filled with risk, but that risk is the very thing that leads to growth. Do not shy away from the unknown, but instead, embrace it with courage. Trust in your preparation, trust in your training, and above all, trust in yourself. For it is in these moments, when we step forward into the unknown, that we find the true measure of our strength and our potential. Let the uncertainty of the journey fuel you, and let the excitement of discovery be your guide.