.....But while prosperity is apt to harden the heart of pride, adversity in a man of resolution will serve to ripen it with fortitude. To use the words of Burke, "Difficulty is a severe instructor, set over us by the supreme ordinance of a parental guardian and instructor, who knows us better than we know ourselves, as He loves us better too. He that wrestles with us strengthens our nerves, and sharpens our skill; our antagonist is thus our helper." Without the necessity of encountering difficulty, life might be easier, but men would be worth less. Samuel Smiles.

I looked at a number of pictures before choosing this one to go with this post; I see in this man's rugged exterior a look of kindness, and of course pride in whom I consider to be his child. He has a rough-hewn appearance and his hands are no stranger to hard labor. I have no doubt I would find conversation with him a pleasure. He holds his daughter with tenderness but who would doubt those arms would turn to violence if she needed protection.

Photo by Mitchel Kanashkevich