Keep Pushing

Life calls us all to be Sisyphus

Dear Nobody in Particular,

This is not the letter I intended to write, but it’s a message that needs to be shared after unexpectedly reaching the top of another hill last night…

The Myth of Sisyphus

Most of you are familiar with this story from antiquity, but if you are not the premise is simple: as a punishment from the gods, for all of eternity, Sisyphus must continually push a large boulder up a hill only to have it roll back down when he reaches the apex.

Although this tale is often drawn upon as an analogy for tasks that are repetitive and monotonous in today’s modern context, it is the willingness of Sisyphus—or any of us—to press on during challenging times that is the focus of this letter.

We Are All Sisyphus

Whether you realize it or not, we all face “Sisyphean” tasks in our lives. Most of them we do not want to perform, and often do so out of some sense of duty even though the outcome may be unknown or futile once it is realized.

My friend and neighbor Mike was Sisyphus when he ran out onto the battlefield in Vietnam—again and again—to rescue his fellow service members. He was a medic and earned the Bronze Star not once but twice for his heroism, constantly running toward the danger to help his friends who had been shot, stepped on a landmine, or any other number of horrors most readers of this letter will never encounter in their lives.

Like Sisyphus, he had no choice. Only a duty and obligation to push that rock.

Mike had been my neighbor and friend for over 17 years. He had no family left, and the modest townhouse he rented had truly become his home across nearly two decades. He was a quiet guy who read books and listened to music all day, but was eager to help others whatever the ask.

Mike pushed his rock until October 17th, 2022. He committed suicide after being despondent over not finding a new home when his landlord raised the rent to an amount he could no longer afford while subsisting on Social Security. I had been trying to help him find a new place, all the while never suspecting he would take his own life.

Pass The Rock

Life finds a way of dropping challenges right into our lap at the most inconvenient times. In the midst of starting my new role in Web3, I knew that there was no way I would allow my friend to have an unceremonious end to his life. Though he had attached a postcard with my name and information to a blank will as his intended beneficiary, the state of Florida does not consider this legally binding in any way.

And while the law stipulates no one should enter the home and touch the belongings of the deceased for 60 days, it was only 72 hours later when the landlord came in and took Mike’s large, amazing vinyl collection, as well as his Yamaha component stereo system and Bose speakers. I sent many irate emails to him, his lawyer, local law enforcement…all to no avail.

But I pressed on.

Phone calls, emails, speaking with veteran advocate groups, recommended lawyers, all of them told me to give up. Probate would cost $5K-10K. Every rejection was me reaching the top of the hill only to watch the rock roll back down to the bottom. Each time someone told me I had done all I could, it only made me want to double my efforts to ensure Mike would—at a bare minimum—receive his full military honors and be laid to rest in a national VA cemetery.

So I’d go back to the bottom and push that rock again.

Not knowing where else to turn after the boulder rolled down the hill for the umpteenth time, I finally called my Congresswoman and Senator. More emails and phone calls. Forms filled out. Follow-ups scheduled. Each time I moved the rock that much more.

Last night I got the call from Senator Rubio’s aide, and she had successfully worked with a congressional liaison at the VA to help me circumvent some of the legally required paperwork because Mike had no next of kin. I got choked up a bit when I heard the words that we could finally lay Mike to rest, and my eyes have tears forming once again now that I am reliving the relief from last night.

Never Give Up

I’m sure you’ve heard this a thousand times in your life, Nobody, but don’t ever give up. When I was still in the classroom, I would pound into my students’ heads the idea of effort over intelligence. Sure being smart helps in many domains of life, but it can also facilitate rationalizations for why we should give up on a particular endeavor or dream.

This is even more true when it comes to something we don’t want to do, but are compelled to do because our moral code dictates we take action. I’m here to tell you today, Nobody, that whatever challenge you’re facing—you can overcome. You can and will be successful if you simply keep applying yourself. There are any number of ways we can use to help push that rock. Whether brute force or building a tool to make the task easier, each time we apply ourselves to the problem, the weight of the rock seems just a bit less than it did before. And it won’t be long before you look back and notice you’re at the top of the hill…

When you get there, look around. Enjoy the momentary accomplishment. Because as soon as you take your hand off the rock, it’ll roll back down the hill and we must begin anew.

But every time we put our shoulder into it and start over, maybe—just maybe—we feel a little stronger, the burden is a little lighter, and we might even have a slight smile knowing we can make it to the top once again 💪

Keep pushing, Nobody in Particular.

Ryan / Phunky

P.S. - What challenges have you faced recently? Share them below in the comments!