“Good timber does not grow with ease,
The stronger wind, the stronger trees.
The further sky, the greater length.
The more the storm, the more the strength.
By sun and cold, by rain and snow,
In trees and men good timbers grow.”
Douglas Malloch
They say that what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, and I thought that this little poem really gives a beautiful representation of why that is.
As warm and bright as the sun is, if you stay in it too long, you can get burned. We all welcome the clouds every once in a while, and the trees and plants celebrate when there is rainfall as they know they are being nourished. Too much rain, and we begin to search out the sun again – and appreciate it so much more when it arrives.
If only we could look at our challenges as the welcome clouds, and the much needed rain to grow. The storms to help make our roots stronger and deeper.
Then, when the sun came out again, how much more glorious it would be.
Needed this quote today. Since we seriously just got pummeled with a ton of snow and the temperatures are freezing here. I am so dreaming of sun and warmth right about now, but very true if you stay int hat warm sun too long what happens. Needless to say, great quote and definitely so true about whatever doesn’t kill us in life certainly does make us stronger 🙂
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Oh, this is so true. I’ve often thought exactly this, but not in such a poetic way. I love this quotation. Challenges and difficult times are part of what makes us…us. –Lisa
What a great reminder that clouds are necessary (especially in the grey of a cold winter)!!!
And I guess we could even say that the cold is necessary for us to appreciate the warm!!!
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Your quote of the week is like my little dose of wisdom. I’ve been in a pondering kind of mode lately. And still decompressing from a roller coaster year. I think I need to look at 2013 as the year where I worked on strengthening my roots. Love this, Leah.
I have been so bummed about the lack of sun/warmth, but we are going to Florida in two days so I guess I can’t complain.
Still such a beautiful quote/wisdom.
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Beautifully said, Leah. I think we expect, or want, to be happy all the time. It’s those tough moments that really help us to learn how to live. And appreciate / understand true happiness.
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Beautiful and so true. Every challenge that comes our way makes us stronger! Can you tell I am catching up on your blog today?!!
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I just love coming by to read your quotes Leah!! They always make me think… and your take on them is inspiring!
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