#davesdailychallenge (90): Thank you Colonel Louis Rachal USMC. Some of the last words I heard before my world was changed forever would end up being some of the best advice I’ve ever received. In an old metal building in the sweltering Virginia summer of 2004 aboard the Quantico Marine Corps Base, the then Commanding Officer of the Officer Candidate’s School, Colonel Louis Rachal, looked 300 young candidates in the eyes and told us this:

“You are too young to quit at anything.”

Shortly after these words my world erupted into a new era of laser-focused purpose, endless challenge, and outstanding personal and professional growth. While many of the vivid memories of that summer have faded slightly with time, I have not ever forgotten his words from that muggy June morning. What he was really telling us was that whether or not we knew it yet, and few of us actually did, we were about to start a period of our lives that would be extraordinarily difficult and the only way one would make it through to the other side would be if we never, ever, ever, ever quit. 

You see, in reality, many of the most important aspects of life give us one shot, just one shot, to make our mark. We show up to our chosen challenge and we either quit or persevere. On countless occasions in my life I have wanted to quit. I have been afraid. I have felt weak. I have felt utterly alone. Whenever I do though, the words of Colonel Rachal come back to me. While I’m far from perfect, this advice has helped me to remember who I am and what I stand for and that will never be a legacy of quitting. Good luck my friends.