No Dream Is Too High - Buzz Aldrin Page 0,20
you know you are going to be dealing with a certain level of celebrity for the rest of your life, it is hard to get excited about a “normal” job or a mundane military career. So for a while, I experienced a roller coaster of emotions, and it wasn’t until I returned to what I was passionate about—space exploration—that I truly found my equilibrium again.
I’ve always considered myself to be rather self-motivated and, frankly, self-sufficient. I’ve worked hard and achieved my goals, and I have not depended on anyone else to cut me a break or pick up my slack. One of the keys to a successful life in any field is learning to take responsibility for ourselves, rather than waiting for someone else to do something for us.
Yet there have been times in my life when my best efforts simply weren’t enough, when I really needed someone to come to my aid. In those incidents, despite being a macho fighter pilot and astronaut, I learned that asking for help was not a sign of weakness, but of true strength.
One such incident came in the midst of the fabulous cross-country celebration of Apollo 11’s landing on the Moon. Culminating a busy day of exuberant congratulations following our return to Earth, including ticker tape parades and celebrations in New York and Chicago, Neil, Mike, and I boarded our plane for Los Angeles, where we were to be the honored guests at a special reception hosted by President Nixon, with several thousand people and dozens of highprofile celebrities in attendance.
I was excited about the gala, but I was worried because I knew I would have to make a speech. Worse yet, I assumed that we’d speak in the order of our rank, so Neil would be first, then Mike, and I would be the last Apollo 11 astronaut to stand behind the podium. I fretted that I’d have nothing to say after my buddies had spoken.
Yes, I was one of only two human beings since the beginning of time to have walked on another celestial body. But I needed help in explaining the experience to others.
Jules Bergman, science editor for ABC News, was on board our plane to California as part of the press corps. Jules was a brilliant science reporter—not just a talking head who could read a teleprompter, but a genuine student of science. He had written numerous articles about space, and to better help him understand the program, he had even participated in some training and simulations similar to what real astronauts experience. Jules knew his stuff, so I asked him to help me put together some ideas, some talking points, and he most generously and graciously complied. I sat on the dais next to Pat Collins, Mike’s wife, that evening, and I’m sure I was a terrible conversationalist, because I kept sneaking glances at the notes that Jules had written out for me to use in my speech. I’ve always been glad that I had the courage to ask for help, and even more grateful to Jules Bergman for helping me.
No matter who you are or how accomplished you may be, a time will come when you realize that you need help. Don’t be too proud or resistant to seeking help out of fear of embarrassment, reprisal, or other consequences. Some people want to give the impression that they never have a problem in the world, that everything is wonderful in their lives. If you ask them, “How are you doing?” their first response is usually, “Fine.” But oftentimes things aren’t fine, and you needn’t be embarrassed about finding someone who can assist you, whether the help you need is physical, financial, or emotional.
Seeking help when I was suffering with depression after returning from the Moon was a lifesaver for me—perhaps, literally. Several people in my family, including my own mother, had committed suicide, so I wondered if there was a genetic predisposition that might cause me to follow their examples. Fortunately, I found excellent doctors and friends who encouraged me and helped me to recognize that I was not trapped by the past, that I could be responsible for my own decisions, and that my emotional health was much more important than my career.
Sometimes, it is tough to admit that you need help, but it is an important step. I had always enjoyed alcohol, but when I came back from the Moon and experienced frustrations regarding the future of the space program, as well as my own