Character is not something you buy, or something someone gives you. Character comes from trials.
Life is a constant trial. Some days you're on top of the world, and other days you're lower than the icky stuff at the bottom of your fishbowl.
Some trials are lost because you tried to win a losing battle. Sometimes you had a chance to win, but were out witted, matched, manned/womanned or because you ran out of juice before the sound of the bell.
Those are the ones that leave the deepest scars. The trials where you thought you had a chance. You scrapped, scraped, and gave it your best shot only to come up a little short.
It's there in the aftermath of those losses where bits and pieces of character are born.
Just because you win doesn't necessarily make you a winner. By the same token, losing doesn't make you a loser. The only way to become a loser is to stop trying.
I know this is a giant leap, but I was thinking about these things today as I walked. I sat down behind the old house and the sun, which we haven't seen for days, was out high and full.
Sitting there I got a chance to look at the old door on the back of the old house. I thought to myself, this door has character.
It's blocked out nature's storms for many years. Sometimes a little rain blew in at the bottom, and the cold wind seeped in when the mercury dipped, but for the most part, it kept the families who live there warm and dry.
For almost a 100 years this door has stood strong, and yes the sun, and the cold, and the rain have left their mark, but character is something that transcends the trials of time.
I think it's beautiful.
Some trials are lost because you tried to win a losing battle. Sometimes you had a chance to win, but were out witted, matched, manned/womanned or because you ran out of juice before the sound of the bell.
Those are the ones that leave the deepest scars. The trials where you thought you had a chance. You scrapped, scraped, and gave it your best shot only to come up a little short.
It's there in the aftermath of those losses where bits and pieces of character are born.
Just because you win doesn't necessarily make you a winner. By the same token, losing doesn't make you a loser. The only way to become a loser is to stop trying.
I know this is a giant leap, but I was thinking about these things today as I walked. I sat down behind the old house and the sun, which we haven't seen for days, was out high and full.
Sitting there I got a chance to look at the old door on the back of the old house. I thought to myself, this door has character.
It's blocked out nature's storms for many years. Sometimes a little rain blew in at the bottom, and the cold wind seeped in when the mercury dipped, but for the most part, it kept the families who live there warm and dry.
For almost a 100 years this door has stood strong, and yes the sun, and the cold, and the rain have left their mark, but character is something that transcends the trials of time.
I think it's beautiful.
Well said. :-) Your words provided me with some comfort during my current trial.
ReplyDeleteThat which we earn through perseverance, we treasure!
ReplyDeleteGreat analogy Rick and I agree that trials can make us stronger... some more than others..
ReplyDeleteLife is a bowl of cherries ...unless you get the pips at the bottom. But I am a glass not only half full but running over. Trials and tribulations help form our characters.
ReplyDeleteLovely post.
I think it's important to have gratitude for those trials. I've never failed to learn something from them...even while the rain (my tears) flood through this old door! Lovely, thoughtful post.
ReplyDeleteLife is but a passing phase!! All memories, good or bad, sweet or sour will ultimately pass. Time is the only winner. Loved your post .
ReplyDeleteI get the same feeling when I look at old gnarled trees!!
ReplyDelete