Ad astra

"non est ad astra mollis e terris via" -- there is no easy way from the earth to the stars (Seneca the Younger)

I have loved the Latin phrase ad astra (to the stars) since I first came across it. I found the above quote which features this phrase this morning, and I really like it. I think what I like most about it is the way an often times unpleasant reality is expressed through such a beautiful phrase.

The idea that good things take work isn't something most people in my generation are really too excited about. But the plain and simple truth is that we are lucky that things don't always come easily. If we could have whatever we wanted at the drop of a hat with no complications, we would never learn a sense of gratitude or apprecation. If relationships never took any effort, we would feel unsatisfied and get bored. If life were always easy, we would never have compassion or motivation to move forward.

From now on, when I want to get from the earth to the stars, I will remember that I can't yet fly, so I'd better get a ladder.