Tough Timest Don't Last. Tough People Do.

This week's theme was chosen and written by one of our Athletes Micah Bittner. Be sure to follow her on Instagram @Micah_DSDNT as he dives deeper into this week's theme "Tough Timest Don't Last. Tough People Do."

In life it isn’t the difficult times that last, but instead it is the people who are willing to remain tough through the difficult times that last. As we overcome each obstacle life brings our way, one day at at time, we develop and grow with each victory. We learn new lessons both about the world and ourselves.  

We have to be willing to see the impossible problems in our lives as tough choices that we must make, and we must be able to make them. It is then that life will become easier on us.

We develop the character to handle the success waiting to reward our perseverance. Character that gives us depth. Appreciation. A brighter perspective when we do make it, because we earned our position in the world.

The truth is, we have all made poor choices, fallen down the rabbit hole and lost our way. The fact is, it happens to everyone; what doesn't always happen is a positive response. All too often we allow our mistakes to define the rest of our life and that’s not right. A tough mind understands this and embraces the process to overcome those times. I believe that everyone can write their own story or create success. As my friend and mentor, Gio, is so fond of saying, “Trust the process.” It’s through this process that we earn our way, hopefully inspiring others to follow our example and overcome whatever obstacle is in their way.

Growing up, I never understood what it meant to hunger or want for basic human comforts. While my father busted his hump to make ends meet he never let on that we survived from completed job to completed job. What my father did was teach me to work hard for everything I had. When I wanted a bow and arrow, he had me wash his fleet of vans and mow our yard until I earned enough. I cannot begin to express the gratitude I have for the work ethic that he instilled in me. His approach to life embodies this week’s theme, “Tough times don’t last, tough people do.”

I’m not sure why, but I am fortunate enough to say that I’ve seen rock bottom and lived to tell about it. Pulling carpet fibers apart on my floor boards looking for one, tiny flake of cocaine while drinking Jameson from the bottle in a parking lot because my dealer cut me off felt low, but I had farther to fall. Looking back, I often wonder what choice in life led to moments like that. What poor decision process led a guy who was a scholar athlete, top of his class in high school and almost every military school attended, to franticly searching for crumbs of “hope” on the floor. This felt like a tough time and rightly so, I had become the very thing I hated my whole life, an addict.

I will leave you with one of my favorite quotes. I read it daily as a reminder that even a former dirtbag addict can be great with a push in the right direction:

“I succeed because I am willing to do the things that you are not. I will fight against the

odds. I will sacrifice. I am not shackled by fear, insecurity or doubt. I feel those emotions

--drink them in and swallow them away to the blackness of hell. I am motivated by

accomplishment, not pride. Pride consumes the weak--kills their heart from within.

If I fall--I will get up. If I am beaten--I will return. I will never stop getting better. I will

never stop--ever.”

I don’t know who wrote that, I just know that when I feel hopeless and life has me down, I can read this and feel strong enough to take on the daggum boogie monster by myself. Remember, tough times don’t last, tough people do!