Reach for the stars, even if you have to stand on a cactus.

The line is a humorous, Southwestern-flavored twist on aspirational advice. “Reach for the stars” evokes ambition and idealism; adding “even if you have to stand on a cactus” acknowledges that striving can be uncomfortable, risky, or painful. The image suggests that progress sometimes requires using imperfect or even hostile circumstances as leverage—turning obstacles into a platform rather than waiting for ideal conditions. Its tone is motivational but unsentimental: it doesn’t deny hardship, it reframes it as part of the climb. The cactus also implies resilience and adaptation, hinting that toughness and persistence are prerequisites for lofty goals.