“We will either find a way, or make one”

General Hannibal Barca

Hannibal Barca, was a Punic Carthaginian general, and arguably the most prolific of military commanders.  He is one of my favorite historic figures.  Some sources claim the city of Barcelona, Spain, is named after him.

I love the story of Hannibal’s brilliant move to attack Rome. His plan was to come, not from the Mediterranean, via the expected sea route, but to go through Spain, up into Gaul (France), through the Alps, and down into Italy.  Oh, and by the way, he was bringing the 218 BC version of a division of tanks, he had Elephants.

When Hannibal sprung this genius plan on his commanders, they freaked out. The War Elephants were brought into Spain from Africa.  These early model tanks weren’t exactly built for the cold, mountainous (trails yet un-blazed) environment of the Alps.  It was right about this point, that Hannibal tells his officers, “We will either find a way, or make one.”

BOOM!! I love this guy!

Fast forward to today, I just read that the USA’s middle class is ranked, 27th in the world, with the average American middle class family’s yearly income at $38,000.  (Shout out, to my Aussie mates, for handily grabbing the #1 slot.) Objective reality tells me, that we as a nation, are slipping fast, and no one is coming to rescue us.  We each, as individuals, can wallow around in the despondent pool of mediocrity, or we can each, either find a way to prosperity, or make one.

Seriously, what is your plan?  Even if you are in the “upper class”, the writing is on the wall, the status quo ain’t getting it done.  As for me and my family, we’re going through the Alps. I really don’t care if the trail is yet un-blazed.  Quite frankly, I like it that way, there isn’t any riff-raff on this route.  I left all the naysayers on the Interstate Highways, where all roads lead to the same old-same old. Oh, and as a bonus, Rome will never see me coming, just like Hannibal.

Boo Yah!!