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Chapter nineteen

It’s Not Rocket Science

Josh

Can I do this?

I stand at the side of the stage waiting for my name to be called. A huge auditorium of people sits in front of me—my classmates and professors… my family and friends… complete strangers. It’s taken me three years to get to this point in time. Three long years of lectures and homework. Laughter and tears. Struggles with self-doubt, and learning to accept myself for who I am. I’m about to share my journey with thousands of people. Will they judge me for what I’m about to say? Will they even care?

It doesn’t matter. I’ve made my decision. It’s taken me years to arrive at this exact moment—and now here I am. I’ve chosen my path. It’s time to walk it.

My name is called and I step forward.

“Tonight, our commencement address is being given by one of our international students,” Dean Owens announces to the crowd. “This student came to Spartacus University from Jaipur, India, to study Aerospace Engineering and Astrophysics. Not only has he earned bachelor’s degrees in both of these sciences, he’s done so in record time while also maintaining a perfect GPA. In addition, he’s pursued internships, performed teaching assistant duties, and made many close friendships on campus. I’m proud to introduce to you this year’s top-ranked student at Spartacus University, Josh Malik!”

I approach the podium as the audience applauds. When the crowd falls into a hushed silence, I gaze out into a sea of caps and gowns. I hope my words will make a difference to someone.

“Astrophysics—it’s not rocket science.” I clear my throat while a few people chuckle. “Rocket science is a term for the branch of aerospace engineering known as astronautics. Its primary function is to design machines that explore space. Astrophysics, as well as the related fields of astronomy and cosmology, is the science of space itself.”

I glance down at my notes, pausing to settle my nerves. “To quote a famous book, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy , ‘Space is big. Really big. You just won’t believe how vastly, hugely, mind-bogglingly big it is.’ Kind of like my best friend… National Champion offensive tackle for the Golden Gladiators, George ‘JR’ Bennett, Jr.”

The crowd explodes into deafening cheers for their winning football team and its star player. I grin at JR in the front row, where he’s rubbing the back of his neck as several nearby graduates pound him on the shoulders, laughing. Once the cheers and clapping die down, I focus again on my notes.

“In fact, the universe is getting bigger and its expansion is speeding up. But how? Why?” I gaze out into the packed audience as I ask the questions. “Cosmologists believe this phenomenon may be due to an invisible force called dark energy. This dark energy seems to oppose gravity… kind of like a football thrown by my friend, National Champion quarterback Blake Evans.”

The auditorium erupts once again into frenzied applause. Blake, a junior classman, stands up amid a row of his fellow Golden Gladiators, raising his arms in victory. His teammates hoot and holler, drowning him in high-fives and fist-bumps.

When the noise subsides, I continue with my speech. “In my homeland of India, there’s an ancient text called the Upanishads. Its wisdom tells us:

You are what your deepest desire is.

As is your desire, so is your will.

As is your will, so is your deed.

As is your deed, so is your destiny.”

I glance down at my notes before setting them aside. “When I came to America three years ago to study at Spartacus University, it was my deepest desire to learn about space. This desire gave me the willpower to study hard. It made me take action, such as going to class, doing my homework, and studying late into the night. These actions, taken day after day, have led me to this moment—just as desire, will, and deeds have led each of you here today.” I scan row after row of graduates as they wait to receive their diplomas. I know that we’re in this together.

“What desire is driving you? Is it to be an investigative journalist like my friend, National Champion running back Josiah Baer?” I pause to give him a moment in the spotlight. He waves shyly at the cheering crowd. “Or do you dream of joining the NFL like my friend, kinesiology major and National Champion linebacker, Tyrell ‘Typhoon’ Jones?”

Tyrell jumps to his feet, letting out a powerful whoop. “ Namaste , Josh!“ he shouts toward the stage. The audience breaks into laughter, as well as several loud chants of ‘Typhoon’. Pressing his palms together, the linebacker bows to me from the row of rowdy football players.

I return his bow with a grin. Once the cheering settles down, I resume my speech. “What is your dream? Do you hope to become a healthcare professional… a business owner… a writer? What destiny is calling to you?”

Pausing, I look at my best friend in the front row. If anyone can understand what I’m about to say, it’s JR. “Sometimes it takes courage to listen to your heart. Your mind may tell you that your dreams make no sense. The people around you may say that your deepest desires are silly or impractical. But if you don’t follow your dreams, how will you reach your destiny? How will you become the person you’re meant to be? Every single one of you sitting before me today has chosen your career path. It’s a decision that only you can make. This one is mine.”

I search the crowded auditorium for a glimpse of my family. I’ve always tried to make them proud. Will they accept what I’m about to say?

Squaring my shoulders, I take a deep breath. It’s now or never. “I have a dream, and it’s not rocket science. My heart’s deepest desire is to unravel the mysteries of space, to explore the universe through math and science. I want to ask questions, like ‘ How is dark energy causing the universe to expand? Are there other dimensions, or even a multiverse? Could black holes actually connect to form a wormhole, a passageway through space and time? ‘ Until a few days ago, it was my intention to pursue a master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering so that I could design spacecraft. Aerospace Engineering is an honorable, worthwhile career… but it’s not my destiny. My dream, my desire, my destiny is to study astrophysics and cosmology—and that’s what I’m going to do.”

“What’s your dream, my fellow graduates? Whatever it is, I hope that it’s a big one—as ‘mind-bogglingly big’ as space itself. I wish you luck as you pursue your destiny. Namaste .“ I bow to the audience before adding my final words: “Go, Golden Gladiators!”

As I step back from the podium and away from the cheering audience, a weight slides off my shoulders. I did it! The course of my life has changed thanks to a simple ten-minute speech. When Dean Owens had asked me to be the student speaker at graduation, I’d been worried about making a tiny mistake, like stumbling over my words. Now that I’ve announced to my family—and the entire Spartacus faculty—my intention to change my program of study, I feel like I can accomplish anything .

My family might not approve of my decision, but my father was right about one thing. The choice that I made today will affect my entire future.