From the Brickyard | Subject: Avoid doing something dumb that could derail the mission
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I was at the beach with my kids.
Sun was out. Sand was warm. Perfect day.
We’re exploring when I spot this big fallen tree blocking the shoreline. Right in the way of where people might want to swim.
I figure, “Hell, I’ll move it. Help someone out. Flex a little.”
So I grab my son, and we go to work dragging this thing toward the overgrown part of the beach.
It’s going alright. Then I think—“Maybe if we get it in the water, it’ll move easier.”
And it does.
Until I step on a hidden rock.
Lose my footing. Instinctively reach out with my left hand—boom.
Full body weight crashes down on my thumb.
Sharp pain. Deep gash. Feels like I just tore a tendon.
We got the tree out of the way before that, but suddenly none of it mattered. I’m standing there in the water, bleeding, thinking:
“Why the hell did I even do that?”
The Lesson
You may feel strong.
You may be strong.
But you’re not invincible.
All it takes is one dumb move—one rock under the surface.
One moment of misplaced ego.
One injury that pulls you out of the game.
This wasn’t part of the mission.
It was just… something to do.
And if I had torn a tendon?
Goodbye training.
Goodbye progress.
All for a tree that wasn’t mine to move.
So Here’s the Brickwall Rule:
Don’t do dumb shit that isn’t part of your mission.
If it doesn’t build you, strengthen you, or move your purpose forward…
Walk away.
Pain is part of growth—but stupid pain is just a tax on bad decisions.
Stay sharp. Stay disciplined. Stay uninjured.
Your mission needs you whole.
Brick by brick.
-Brickwall