The American syndicated columnist Harvey Mackay said:

“An optimist understands that life can be a bumpy road, but at least it is leading somewhere.  They learn from mistakes and failures, and are not afraid to fail again.”

One of the first pictures I shot of river rocks was at the Santa Fe Flea Market.  I kept it as my screensaver on my iMac for a long time.  I remember walking on the rocks was somewhat tiring but I kept shifting with the stones and it made for a satisfying afternoon.  I am reminded of Robert Frost’s “The Road Not Taken.”  We all know the smooth path is the easy one to take.  We all know it is probably more enjoyable.  But the bumpy road brings with it a sense of pride and/or accomplishment for having overcome it.  Does it show us we are are made of stronger stuff than we believed?  Perhaps, if we traverse it.  I cannot help but think of all the romance novels I have read where the heroine has rough hands from having worked.  Does that diminish her?  Or does it make her greater?  I think we discover what is within ourselves when we encounter a bumpy road.