No Dream Is Too High - Buzz Aldrin Page 0,21

future, I started drinking far too much and too often. Occasionally, I spent a few weeks in treatment centers, and although I found wonderful, short-term help, I continued a downward spiral.

For years, I struggled alone with my demons. But when I became involved in Alcoholics Anonymous, I found people who understood, who empathized, and who could also encourage me to take the necessary steps toward health and wholeness, including the willingness to keep me accountable. They helped me to discover meaning and significance and to focus on what I was good at doing. Because I was willing to ask for help, as you read these words, I have been sober for more than 36 years.

I KNOW FROM EXPERIENCE just how important it is to discover and pursue a path about which you are truly excited, one that matters and is meaningful to you. If you are not sure what that is, ask yourself, “What gives me the greatest sense of joy, of meaning, of pleasure? What makes me happy and fulfilled?” Whatever it is, find out and go for it. Where will you go, what will you do, no matter what the costs? When you discover what that is, tell yourself over and over again, “I am so excited that I get to do this. I’m going to do this because I want to, not because I have to.”

Pick an amazing dream and go for it. Don’t merely make a living; make a life. Launch out farther than you’ve ever gone before. Today, you have a shot at forever. Somebody is going to do something big, so ask yourself, “Why not me?” Why not take a chance?

Many people have a fire burning within them, something they feel compelled to do, or an idea or a project they strongly feel they should develop. Yet too often, they push those dreams into a subconscious drawer and never really give them a chance to be fulfilled. Frequently, the reason we allow our dreams and desires to be tamped into a dark black hole is because somebody rejected us or said no to us.

But one of the keys to learning how to write your epitaph while you’re living is to look for opportunities, rather than obstacles, regardless of what other people say or do.

I’ve never had much appreciation for the word “no.” Instead, I prefer “perseverance” or “persistence.” Much more than talent or a pleasant personality, perseverance and persistence will open doors for you, if you simply keep working toward your goal and refuse to give up.

Although I am one of the best known astronauts in American history, believe it or not, I was not accepted the first time I applied to become a NASA astronaut, as I already mentioned.

At that time, NASA wanted test pilots, not scientists. I was a fighter pilot and an egghead, a scientist studying at MIT. Before leaving Germany, where I was flying practice bombing runs, I read that to become an astronaut, one had to train as a test pilot. Because I had chosen not to do that, I assumed there was little chance of me getting into the space program.

Nevertheless, I was convinced that I could be selected as an astronaut. Ed White had been accepted, and we had flown together in the Air Force during the cold war between the Soviet Union and the United States. I knew Ed was a good fighter pilot, and I was, too. “I can shoot gunnery as well as if not better than Ed can,” I said. “I’m going to apply to be an astronaut.”

But I was rejected. That could have been an insurmountable obstacle for me, or a barrier that detoured my entire life. But I was persistent. Sure, I was disappointed, but I didn’t give up.

I learned more about NASA’s Gemini program and talked with Gus Grissom, who was going to fly in that program; I also talked with the designer of the Gemini spacecraft.

I got into great physical shape, went to Houston, and applied again in 1963. This time I was accepted, along with a couple of other fighter pilots who, like me, had not been test pilots.

When the orders came out, I was again disappointed to discover that I was assigned to a backup crew, not a flight crew. I was not scheduled to fly during the entire Gemini program. Then one of those events over which I had no control but that would change the course of my life took place on February 28, 1966.