"It must not stop me."

- Hank Rearden, Atlas Shrugged

I just want to take a minute to explain why this quote is so important to me. This is the first time I have done this (posted on a quote) and will most likely be the last, as I like the quotes to speak for themselves. But this particular quote is, to me, one of the most important in my life.

It occurs about 1/4 of the way through Atlas Shrugged, by Ayn Rand. Hank, one of the novel's protagonists, has been suffering setback after setback by a failed government, infested with rampant socialism and cronyism. And yet he keeps on, in the face of overwhelming odds against him.

It is important to point out that the word is must, not will or can. This is on purpose - using will or can imparts a certain level of haughtiness that invites destruction. They are not "action" words, they are words of resolution. But must - that is an action word; it is active, it is Hank on his guard, it invites a fight, it dares the universe to stop him.

This line appears only once in the novel, but to me sums up Hank's character, drive, and resolve. Being a character who I strongly identify with, I try to keep the same approach. I may not like what life is throwing at me, but "it must not stop me" or I will never be all that I can be.