Dave Lukas - Lessons for Hannah440: Lessons For Hannah - Tough Times Don't Last, Tough People Do
Hello Misfit Nation! Welcome to another edition of "Lessons for Hannah!" Many years ago, I introduced a new format that alongside our regular episodes called “Lessons for Hannah.” Hannah is my daughter and one of the main inspirations for the Misfit Entrepreneur. I wanted to have a place where she could go and learn from her daddy and his Misfit friends throughout her life….even after I am gone. If you haven’t listened to the first episode of "Lessons for Hannah," I urge you to as it gives some more background and tells the amazing story of how Hannah came to be in our lives. Lessons for Hannah are short, very useful, and sometimes comical lessons, that I want to share with you and give to Hannah to help in your lives. Because I want Hannah to have these for her life, I’m going to speak as though I am talking directly to her. These episodes are a lot of fun and if you think there is a lesson that we should include in these episodes, please don’t hesitate to send it over to us at [email protected]. We’d love to share it. This week’s Lesson for Hannah Hannah, I want to share something with you today that has proven true throughout history, in my own life, and in the lives of some of the greatest people who have ever lived. It’s this: Tough times don’t last, tough people do. No one gets through life without facing challenges, setbacks, or moments where everything seems stacked against them. But in those moments, it’s not the difficulty that defines you—it’s how you respond. Do you give up, or do you dig deep, push forward, and find a way? The people who change the world, who rise above, and who leave a lasting legacy all share one thing in common: They endure. They outlast the tough times, no matter how impossible things seem. And today, I want to share with you the stories of a few of them. Winston Churchill: Standing Tall Against the Storm In 1940, the world was in chaos. Nazi Germany had swept across Europe, crushing entire nations in its wake. Britain stood alone, seemingly next in line for destruction. Most of Churchill’s advisors believed that surrender or negotiation was the only option. But Churchill refused to break. He stood before the British people and delivered words that would echo for generations: "We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender." He knew the times were tough. But he also knew that toughness—true toughness—was not about the situation. It was about the person facing the situation. And because of his leadership, Britain endured. The war turned. And history was forever changed. Harriet Tubman: The Unstoppable Force of Freedom Born into slavery, Harriet Tubman knew hardship that most people could never imagine. She was beaten, starved, and denied even the most basic human rights. Most people would have accepted their fate. Not Harriet. She not only escaped slavery herself but risked her life over and over again to help others escape. She became the most famous "conductor" of the Underground Railroad, leading more than 300 slaves to freedom. She once said: "I was the conductor of the Underground Railroad for eight years, and I can say what most conductors can't say—I never ran my train off the track and I never lost a passenger." She faced impossible odds, yet she refused to stop. She outlasted the tough times because she was tougher. The Wright Brothers: Flying Past Failure Hannah, you know that airplanes didn't always exist, right? There was a time when people thought human flight was impossible. The Wright brothers, Orville and Wilbur, didn’t have fancy degrees. They didn’t have government funding. What they had was a dream—and an endless stream of failures. They built and crashed, built and crashed, over and over again. But instead of quitting, they learned from each mistake. They adjusted, refined, and kept going. And on December 17, 1903, they did what no one else had done. They flew. The world changed because they refused to let failure stop them. Ohio State Buckeyes: Rising Above Adversity Hannah, this story hits close to home, especially since you were there to witness it. In 2024, the Ohio State Buckeyes faced immense challenges. After losing to their archrival, Michigan, for the fourth consecutive year, the pressure was overwhelming. Fans were calling for Coach Ryan Day to be fired. His family received threats, and his children faced bullying at school. It was a dark time for the team and its leadership. But instead of succumbing to the negativity, Coach Day and the Buckeyes chose resilience. They regrouped, focused on their goals, and embarked on an incredible journey through the College Football Playoff. Against all odds, they defeated Tennessee, Oregon, and Texas, leading them to the national championship game against Notre Dame. And Hannah, you were there with me, witnessing history. The Buckeyes triumphed, securing their first national title since 2014. Their story is a testament to enduring through adversity and emerging victorious. Your Toughness is a Choice Hannah, I share these stories with you because life will test you. You will face moments that seem overwhelming, unfair, or even impossible. And in those moments, you will have a choice. You can give up. You can blame circumstances. You can say, “This is too hard.” Or you can stand firm. You can find a way. Churchill didn’t let a world war break him. Harriet Tubman didn’t let slavery define her. The Wright brothers didn’t let failure keep them from flying. And you--you are made of the same toughness. You will face challenges, but I have no doubt that you will endure. Because tough times don’t last, Hannah… but tough people do. I love you, Dad Best Quote
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