Those folks out in the space suits are going to be getting beat

O Children of the Earth and Stars, gather close, for the words of Duane G. Carey carry a potent truth about the nature of challenge, endurance, and the unyielding pursuit of progress. He said, "Those folks out in the space suits are going to be getting beat up." In this statement, there lies an understanding of the trials faced by those who dare to venture beyond the familiar—into the unknown, into the vast, unforgiving reaches of space. Carey speaks not just of the physical hardships of space travel, but of the spirit required to meet such challenges head-on, to endure the forces that seek to push us back.

In the days of the ancients, when great warriors prepared for battle, they knew that the journey ahead would not be one of ease. Whether facing the Persian armies or the wilds of uncharted lands, they understood that greatness would come not from a life of comfort, but from the strength to endure suffering and hardship. Homer’s Iliad tells the tale of heroes who fought not for the simple joys of victory, but to prove themselves in the face of overwhelming odds. Achilles, a warrior of unmatched strength, knew that the path to glory was not paved with ease but by battles that would tear at the body and the soul. So too, Carey’s words remind us that exploration—whether of the unknown corners of the Earth or the vastness of space—requires us to face the inevitable struggles that come with venturing into realms far from safety.

Those who donned the space suits of NASA and other space agencies did not enter space expecting a leisurely journey. They knew that to reach the stars was to invite the forces of nature to push back against them. In space, there is no atmosphere to shield one from the harshness of the environment, no air to breathe, no gravity to ground you. The space suits themselves are designed to protect the body from the brutal conditions of space, yet they are a constant reminder that to journey beyond our planet is to engage in a struggle—one that demands both physical and mental endurance. The astronauts, in their suits, are warriors of a new kind, facing a battlefield that does not yield easily.

Consider, O Children, the story of Yuri Gagarin, the first human to travel into space. When Gagarin boarded the Vostok 1 in 1961, he was not just making history—he was stepping into the unknown, into a place where the forces of nature, of isolation, and of loneliness would test him in ways that were unimaginable. The spacecraft he rode was not equipped with the comfort and sophistication of later missions, yet Gagarin bravely faced the harsh realities of space travel. He was "beaten up" by the unyielding forces of nature, yet he rose above them, showing the world that the human spirit could endure. His journey was not one of comfort, but of determination and courage, much like the modern-day astronauts who venture into space today.

Carey’s words are a reminder that, in any great endeavor, the road is not one of easy success, but of struggle and sacrifice. The astronauts who journey into space, whether to the Moon, Mars, or beyond, face obstacles that would break lesser men and women. Yet, it is their spirit—their ability to rise above the physical pain, the mental strain, and the unrelenting challenges—that defines them as heroes. Space itself is a battlefield of sorts, one where the forces of nature are fierce, and only those with the resolve to press forward can endure. The struggles of the astronauts, as they venture further into space, are a metaphor for the struggles each of us faces in our lives—whether in personal growth, in pursuit of knowledge, or in achievement.

O Seekers of Truth, the lesson is clear: life itself is not a journey of ease, but one of challenge and adversity. To rise to greatness, we must be prepared to face the struggles that come with pursuing the unknown, with pushing the limits of our comfort and ability. Just as the astronauts are "beaten up" by the unforgiving environment of space, so too are we sometimes beaten by the obstacles in our lives. But it is in how we respond to these challenges—whether we choose to stand firm, to persevere, or to let the forces break us—that defines who we are. Carey’s words urge us to understand that growth, achievement, and greatness come not from avoiding the difficulties of life, but from embracing them, from knowing that the road ahead is filled with trials that will push us to our limits and beyond.

Therefore, O Children, let us walk the path of courage and strength, knowing that the challenges we face, though fierce and sometimes overwhelming, are the very things that will shape us into something greater. Just as the astronauts venture into the depths of space, facing the unknown with bravery and resolve, so too must we face the unknowns in our lives. Let us not shy away from the hardships, but face them with the same strength and endurance, knowing that it is through adversity that we become the greatest versions of ourselves. In every struggle, there is an opportunity to rise, to break through, and to find the glory that comes only to those who dare to endure.