Everybody wants to be on the mountaintop, but if you'll remember, mountaintops are rocky and cold. There is no growth on the top of a mountain. Sure, the view is great, but what's a view for? A view just gives us a glimpse of our next destination-our next target. But to hit that target, we must come off the mountain, go through the valley, and begin to climb the next slope. It is in the valley that we slog through the lush grass and rich soil, learning and becoming what enables us to summit life's next peak.

Everyone has a worst time in their life. There's always a worse time. We are all either in a crisis, coming to one or coming out of one.

We have to prepare our teenagers and our children for a world away from us. That requires explanations. That requires understanding.

I'm not saying don't do the work you got, but instead of this two hours of watching TV at the hotel lobby or this three hours of sitting under the pier and reading comic books or worrying about what you're doing ... what value do you have? Can you read? There are people out there who can't read - go read to them.

It is never the duty of a leader to struggle for someone else; a leader must encourage others to struggle and assure them that the struggles are worthwhile. Do battle with the challenges of your present, and you will unlock the prizes of your future.

All people—all lives—are either in a crisis, coming out of a crisis, or headed for a crisis.

Even a small amount of perspective can change our lives. Because even the smallest amount of perspective can change how we are able to navigate hard times.