Power in words.

Uphill Struggle

“Though much is taken, much abides; and though we are not now that strength which in old days moved earth and heaven; that which we are, we are; one equal temper of heroic hearts, made weak by time and fate, but strong in will to strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.”  Excerpted from Lord Alfred Tennyson’s Ulysses.

I first read this quote my sophmore year of college on my roommate/fraternity brother’s AIM account.  I was immediately impressed both by how reading that passage made me feel, and also the simple eloquence of those words.

The quote is timeless.  I read it now for inspiration the same as I did as a sophomore.  Tennyson’s words are powerful because they resonate (they should) with any person engaged in the world, but especially young professional just beginning their careers.

Everyday will not be awesome.  There are ups and downs, things out of our control, things which generally are in Fate’s hands.  However, the heroism Tennyism refers to is having an unyielding will, “to strive, to seek,  to find” our path in life, even when you feel beaten and broken.  That is true strength.