"I would have taken whatever hand I was dealt. Space was it"

Story Musgrave’s words reveal a profound acceptance of life’s unpredictable flow alongside an unwavering commitment to his own calling. The phrase “I would have taken whatever hand I was dealt” reflects a deep-seated philosophy grounded in flexibility and resilience. Rather than resisting the circumstances life presented, Musgrave frames himself as someone willing to accept the cards given, whether they offered triumphs or challenges. He signals an understanding that fulfillment does not necessarily arise from ideal circumstances, but from one’s attitude and approach when facing what is, rather than what could have been.

Yet, the focus quickly shifts from acceptance to passion and direction. The second half, “Space was it”, distills a lifetime’s pursuit into three words. For Musgrave, the simply stated “it” represents more than just a career or ambition; it is his defining aspiration, the environment in which his talents and identity find their highest expression. Despite the willingness to accept any situation, there is an undercurrent of determination and specificity. Musgrave did not simply drift wherever fate carried him; he had a vision, and when fate offered the possibility to become an astronaut, he seized it completely.

This duality, of acceptance and vigorously pursued purpose, underscores a rare balance. Many people spend life either passively acquiescing to circumstances, or restlessly struggling against them. Musgrave demonstrates the possibility of both: a readiness to accept life’s randomness, but also an unflinching pursuit of one's passion when opportunity aligns. That openness to experience, paired with clarity of aspiration, captures a powerful lesson. To live fully is to say yes to whatever the universe presents, while never losing sight of that unique “it”, the purpose that animates and inspires. For Musgrave, space was the ultimate frontier, the arena where acceptance met ambition and where he found meaning.