North Wind

There’s an old Scandinavian proverb that goes: “The north wind made the Vikings.” 

The Vikings were known for their ferocity and strength, as they lived through the harsh conditions of the north, especially the cold wind coming from the Arctic. In other words, their strength grew in the face of opposition. 

So too, we grow from opposition in our own lives. We may not suffer from the same icy gales, but we do face resistance, both physically and spiritually. 

This is necessary because in our pursuit of virtue, we must face vice. 

We only become patient when faced with or tempted by impatience. We only become courageous when we face our fears. 

And, to do this, we must be aware of the resistance. We must be aware of when we are experiencing opposition. We can even learn how to anticipate those times, and prepare for them. Not so they can be avoided, but so that we can seize the opportunity.

We must recognize the north wind and not shy from it, but face it, and thus grow stronger.