Ad Astra per Aspera is the state of Kansas motto. Established in 1861. It’s English translation?
To the stars with difficulty.
Freakin’ love this. Life is designed hard and, don’t forget, it’s beyond beautiful. You are designed to shoot for the stars and expect asteroids in your way. Hard labor we disdain as we tire. Hard OPUS we sustain as we perspire. Truth.
This past week BTL was introduced to a number of Freshmen athletes. They all were stars on their high school teams. All of ’em want to be natty champs or more. I’ve developed an educated eye over the nearly fifteen years of working with thousands of them. Only a few of them have a big enough why and a corresponding will to pain. Shooting for the stars is not the prevailing problem. Dealing with unforeseen difficulties? Damn straight. We teach them to preload their response instead of simply reacting. Most nod. Few know what the hell it really means. This week I tuned into one who shared vulnerably about her greatest fails. She spoke of it matter of factly and without the least bit of shame. She emobies the Kansas ethic.
Reach for it. Fail. Learn. Levelthehellup. I’m excited to watch her will.
Would I be excited watching you work today? Are you aiming high enough? Is your will a source of power? Will I notice rug burns on elbows and knees? Or, do you look all pretty and perfect? Everything in place, or so it looks. What, friend, is your aim? Is your “want to” exceeded by your will to pain? To the stars with difficulty. Damn.
Live hard. Love harder…
BUILT TO LEAD 