Sometimes, life seems to be a lot of uphill going. A few of us in the blogging community are finding this at the moment, none more so – and more unfairly so – than our kind host of this meme, Emma at Crazy with Twins. <–(Yes, read that.)
The great explorer, Sir Ernest Shackleton (1874 – 1922) had high regard for Kipling, the poet. He had three verses of the famous poem ‘If’ engraved below the bridge of his ship, the Quest – the last vessel he sailed in. At the start of the voyage he addressed his men:
“You see those lines which I have engraved below the bridge? Those verses are for the young men, but they will do for the old ones, too. There may come a time when the seas break over us and we shall wipe the salt water out of our eyes to read them. That is why I put them there.”
(As reported by The Chicago Tribune, 18 September 1921)
We are each of us explorers – through the blogging scene, and through life generally. We have a duty to inspire one another.
Fragments from Firefly Phil 
And inspire us you do! Yet again, fantastic words from Firefly Phil! I had to go and re-read Kipling’s IF after reading this. Such a brilliant and uplifting poem. Your quote make me think I should read more history. Any books you’d recommend to me that I might like?
Thankyou not just for linking up such a great quote, but for your continual support for me and my family lately. It is people like you who put the community into blogging. xx
You are so right!
I love Kipling’s ‘If’ and read it to my son when he was a tiny. Whilst I’d known it for a long time, for the first time, I think I really began to understand what Kipling meant. Thankyou for this.
kipling was a wonderful word smith, the lesser.known books of poetry are amazing. I read them to R all the time and its great to see them inspire her to try and write poetry.
It’s really hard for me in the past months 😦 .. It’s nice that people notice & finds time to help by inspiring me/us with nice words.