When you are pushing a rock larger than yourself up a steep hill, even if you have chosen the rock yourself, you’ll encounter moments when the heaviness of the rock, the steepness of the upward incline and the seeming futility of the task will overcome you.  At such moments you may find yourself calling out to those who care for the strength to go on.   At such moments, few people have anything of much use to say.  One of my favorites is “you just have to….” with the advice that follows.

“You just have to not look back,” since you’ve only gone 6% up the immense incline.

“You just have to be strong,” since you will die if the rock rolls back over you when your strength gives out, as all strength eventually succumbs to gravity.

“You just have to remain positive.”

“You just have to keep on pushing.”

“You chose the rock, you just have to embrace the challenge.”

All so true, they bring tears to the eyes and a quiver to the arms, hamstrings, calves and back.