“Work it harder, make it better. Do it faster, makes us stronger. More than ever hour after. Our work is never over.” Daft Punk, “Harder Better Faster Stronger”, 2001.

“That-that-that-that-that don’t kill me can only make me stronger. I need you to hurry up now ’cause I can’t wait much longer. I know I got to be right now ’cause I can’t get much wronger. Man I’ve been waitin’ all night now. That’s how long I been on ya.” Kanye West, “Stronger”, Graduation. 2007.

RIGHTEOUSNESS. Happy Friday Daily Dosers.  I hope this morning’s message finds you in good spirits, and ready for the weekend.  Notice today I led the DDR with two verses.  Most of you will recognize the second. It is from Kanye West’s “Stronger” off his third album, Graduation. If you listen to the song you will hear background music from a French group called Daft Punk. The song is called “Harder Better Faster Stronger”, which is really a cool song. It reminds me of Kraftwerk’s “Tour de France” or “Numbers”, and Afrika Bambaataa’s “Planet Rock”. (To all the skaters, pop-lockers, and breakers out there you should know about these two classics, yes?)I see why West sample’s it for the sound, but also the content.  Over an electronic auto-tune machine they say to “work it harder” and to “make it better.” They command “do it faster” because it “makes us stronger”, and they remind us that “our work is never over” even when we think our work is finished.  West flips it by saying that what don’t kill you will make you stronger.

This resonates with me because it’s been a week full of surprises, delights, and convenient discomforts.  I’ve found myself in supernatural environments that I admit were very comfortable, but highly intimidating.  One of my best friends reminded me that it is these situations of discomfort where we find our growth.  In other words, in these intimidating spaces is where we “work it harder, make it better, do it faster” because (a) it makes us better and (b) it won’t kill you.

The DDR: I challenge you to have a good weekend.  I also challenge you to step outside your comfort zone. This is the ONLY way we will get to the next level. Besides, the comfort zone can become a very boring place.  Have a wonderful weekend Daily Dosers. Luv ya!! Oh, by the way see to the left and below if you want to hear the two songs and how Kan-Yeezy flipped Daft Punk to make “Stronger”. And don’t forget to drop me some love in the comment box.