Embrace the Boulder

Life is a series of daily battles, a constant push against resistance. They say life doesn’t get easier—you just get stronger. Those words resonate with me because I’ve lived them. My life is structured, disciplined, and relentless. To others, it might seem like an enigma—40+ mile weeks, pushing my body and mind to their limits. But it’s not magic. It’s not talent. It’s the unseen work, the hours of grinding when no one is watching, that forge the strength to endure.

I often think of Sisyphus, the cunning king condemned by the gods to roll a boulder up a hill, only to watch it tumble back down. His punishment was eternal, his struggle unending. And yet, I see in his story a reflection of our own: every push, every climb makes us stronger. Cameron Hanes, our modern-day Sisyphus, carries a literal rock up a mountain daily, not just to build his body but to steel his mind. We do the same with our own Sisyphean tasks—running, reading, serving, worshiping. Each effort, no matter how mundane, builds the foundation for who we are destined to become.

Life doesn’t ask for balance; it demands resilience. Horrible events will unfold. Pain is the price of existence, the contract we signed before we came to Earth. But through voluntary discomfort—practicing small, intentional hardships—we learn to weather the storm. We build a reserve of resilience that allows us to face life’s trials with grace and honor.

The Greeks understood honor. To them, virtues like virtus (courage), pietas (duty), gravitas (dignity), and fides (trustworthiness) were not just ideals but necessities for a life well-lived. These virtues were the markers of strength, the tools with which they pushed their boulders. When we embrace these virtues, we honor the potential within us. Pushing that boulder up the hill isn’t a punishment—it’s a privilege. It’s how we grow.

Persistence and patience are the keys to success. Patience is a form of action; it’s the ability to work on the same thing, day after day, without losing enthusiasm. When the progress feels slow, when the summit seems unreachable, we must remember the oak tree. Towering in the forest, it stands as a testament to time, resilience, and unyielding growth. Through storms, droughts, and trials, it grows. So do we.

The vision of what I can become drives me, propelling me forward even when the boulder feels insurmountable.

So I welcome the boulder. Let it come. I am forged in the fire of my own resolve, so are you. Each push, each fall, each climb strengthens us. The boulder may win a battle, but we will win the war. It is not our adversary—it is our greatest ally. And as we push it, we smile. A smile that says, “Good luck.”