Invictus…

The Latin word “invictus” translates to the English word unconquerable. Nelson Mandela’s favorite poem bore this title. He memorized this poem and recited it to himself countless times from his prison cell on Robben Island where he was forced to live for 27 years. He left the prison cell and became the President. Few go from prison to presidency. Few.

Few view the obstacle as the way. Few set their souls free even when not behind bars. Few harden the mind while sitting softly, and comfortably, in Powell, Ohio. Few choose small, simple suffering. Most of us are so easily broken and conquerable when the crucible arrives and we’ve done next to nothing hard. Today, leader, discipline your mind, body, and spirit. Resist impulse. It’s been a great Thanksgiving Holiday, now show your gratitude by pursuing greatness and becoming unconquerable. Practice your A,B,C’s and recognize adversity, beliefs, and consequences. Stop catastrophizing what lies in your way and have a good argument with yourself. Summon up some good disputes and use your history as evidence. Learn optimism, Dr. Seligman style. Become unconquerable by conquering the mind. Good.

Get caught up in the essence of Nelson’s favorite poem.

“It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.”

No wonder Nelson’s identity was that of a President even when his reality was that of a prisoner. What, my friend, is your identity? What are your principles? How do your bolted on beliefs guide you through your current storms, calm waters, or anything in between? Are you becoming a master of your mind by practicing your A,B,C’s (Dr. Seligman style)? What adversity are you catastrophizing instead of conquering? You are Invictus. You are unconquerable. And, you are never really a lone so don’t be afraid to ask for help when the crucible is kicking your ass. Good.

Live hard. Love harder (Thanks, Teeks)…