It’s Monday. Come Out Fighting.

Toughened up.

That was something my dad did for my brother and me when we were kids. We didn’t like it. Heck, we cried and sobbed and whined but we didn’t get away with that for long. Maybe for one second, actually, if we tried to do it in his presence.

Yet hardly a day goes by today that I don’t thank God for giving me such a father.

I remember in particular his constant admonishment: “The world isn’t going to cater to your every whim. In fact, it’s going to kick your butt. It’ll knock you down. People will take advantage of you if you let them. You have to learn how to get back up, dust yourself off, and hit back.”

I think of the movie, “Ray.” Have you seen it?

Talk about getting toughened up. Ray Charles went blind when he was only a few years old. His mother desperately wanted to see him succeed in life. There’s a part in the movie that shows little Ray trying to find his mother in the room and she deliberately hides so he can figure out things on his own.

She didn’t make it easy for him. In fact, she said, “You might be going blind, but you’re not stupid. I’ll show you how to do something and you pay attention. The second time if you forget, I’ll show you again. But the third time, you’re on your own.”

That’s toughened up.

And you know… it’s the toughened up people that make waves.

They’re the ones that are unstoppable.

Unbeatable.

Who don’t know the word “quit.”

If we weren’t lucky enough to get that lesson when we were young, the world will be more than happy to teach it to us over, and over, and over again.

Until we finally shake the tears from our eyes and say, “Oh, yeah? Take this!”

And then smack the ever-lovin’ snot out of the world’s smug, fat face.

Because you really are a winner and the world’s about to learn that lesson real fast.