MTXE

It's not the traditional route to have four letters tattooed on your wrist.

MTXE is the acronym created by Gene Smithson, former Wichita State basketball coach, during his tenure from 1978-86. These letters helped the Shockers compile a 155-81 record with two Missouri Valley Conference titles and a trip to the Elite Eight over a span of eight years.

However, you don't need to be a fan of basketball for the phrase to mean something to you.

You need to be a fan of pushing forward when your back is against the wall.

You need to be a fan of consistently bringing ideas and energy to the table.

You need to be a fan of keeping your word regardless of the curves life throws.

My father used to joke that MTXE meant More Toast eXtra Eggs purely because those two items can nourish the work above. But the true meaning of MTXE is worth more than carbs and protein.

Arianna Huffington wrote in her book, Thrive, "When we're all mind, things can get rigid. When we're all heart, things can get chaotic. But when they work together, the heart leading through empathy, the mind guiding us with focus and attention, we become a harmonious human being."

My wish for all is to find how their mind and heart work best together.

For me, it's through Mental Toughness and eXtra Effort.