05/05/2026
"Sometimes you have to slow down so you can keep going," my student said to the group as he glanced at me and smiled.
"Oh yeah!" said another, in a moment of realization.
The group had been walking at a brisk pace.
Two of us were each pulling a wagon loaded with gear.
One student said they weren't sure whether they'd make it the last little bit of the hike back, so I suggested we all slow down a bit.
Earlier that day we had discussed strategies that can help us do hard things --
-- strategies that some people might scoff at and dismiss, because they're not rooted in pure grit.
Strategies like slowing down, taking a break, adjusting our gear, and asking for help.
Because I'm not trying to influence another generation to push and push and push until they can't go any further.
I want them to have a whole tool box of strategies that will help them problem solve and persevere for the long term.
And on this hike, this kid remembered.
And we all remembered together.
And we slowed our pace.
And we finished the hike.
All of us, together.
