Life is full of challenges, but I always have the Three Ps:

Hear, O seekers of endurance and joy, the words of Butch Hartman, the creator of tales that stirred the hearts of children, who declared: “Life is full of challenges, but I always have the Three Ps: Passion, patience and persistence. And the fourth one is pizza.” Though spoken with humor, his saying bears the weight of deep wisdom. For it teaches that to overcome the burdens of existence, one must carry with them the fire of purpose, the calm of endurance, the strength of perseverance—and also the lightness of joy, symbolized by something as simple and delightful as food shared with friends.

The origin of these words lies in Hartman’s own journey as an artist and storyteller. The path of creation is not smooth, but filled with rejection, doubt, and toil. Yet he found strength in the Three Ps—in passion, the inner flame that drives a soul to create; in patience, the willingness to endure long seasons without reward; and in persistence, the unyielding resolve to rise again after every fall. And then, with a smile, he adds pizza, reminding us that amidst great struggles, one must never forget the simple pleasures that make life sweet.

Consider passion, the first pillar. Without it, no work of greatness can endure. Passion fuels the heart when strength falters. It transforms labor into joy and suffering into meaning. History is filled with those who, carried by passion, achieved what others thought impossible—like Beethoven, who though deaf, still heard music within his soul and gave it to the world. Passion is the flame that makes the journey worth walking.

Now think of patience, the second pillar. For passion without patience burns too quickly and is lost. Patience teaches us that great works take time, that seeds must lie in the soil before they bloom. Consider Nelson Mandela, who endured decades in prison, waiting with unbroken spirit, until at last the chains of apartheid were shattered. Without patience, hope withers; with patience, the impossible becomes possible.

Then comes persistence, the third pillar, the iron of the soul. Persistence is the refusal to surrender, the will to rise again and again even when all seems lost. The history of invention itself is the tale of persistence: Thomas Edison, who failed thousands of times before the light bulb shone, declaring that each failure was but a step toward success. Persistence is the warrior’s shield, turning defeat into learning and trial into triumph.

Yet Hartman adds a fourth—pizza—and here lies his humor, but also his wisdom. For man is not a machine of toil alone. To endure, one must embrace joy, laughter, and the small pleasures that comfort the weary spirit. Pizza, in its simplicity, symbolizes fellowship, comfort, and delight. It reminds us that even the hardest journey must make room for rest, for community, for the sweetness of life that nourishes not only the body but the soul. Without joy, even persistence grows heavy; with joy, even the heaviest burden becomes bearable.

The lesson, O listeners, is thus: face life’s challenges with the fire of passion, the calm of patience, and the strength of persistence. But do not forget to feed your spirit with joy, with laughter, with the lightness of heart symbolized by pizza. For life is not only about triumphing over struggle, but about savoring the beauty along the way.

Practical wisdom follows: find your passion, and let it guide your days. Cultivate patience, for the fruit of your labor may take long to ripen. Practice persistence, never surrendering to defeat. And finally, cherish joy—eat, laugh, rest, and delight in the company of others. For in this balance lies the art of living well.

Thus let the words of Butch Hartman echo: “Passion, patience, persistence—and pizza.” Let them remind you that the path of greatness is forged with both discipline and delight, with both endurance and laughter. Walk it well, and your life shall not only overcome its struggles, but shine with the joy of being fully lived.