"A SHIP IN HARBOR IS SAFE....

BUT THAT IS NOT WHAT SHIPS ARE BUILT FOR."


The young man who spoke at Mackson Nichols' graduation from Payson High School last Thursday, May 25, 2017, at the UVU event center in Orem quoted this well-known aphorism by American professor and writer John A. Shedd. 


What a fitting subject for over 400 students who were "commencing" their new life that day. 


Is that life going to be scary, hard, fun, problematic, challenging, discouraging,  fantastic, fulfilling, or enriching?  Probably all of that...and more.  But not one of those students, or any of us for that matter, really realize our potential when we never venture far from what is comfortable and known in our little corner of the world.


Heck, even Moana had to go beyond the reef to find her true destiny.  And we all know the frightful and funny stuff she had to endure in order to do that.  Are we any less than a Disney princess or a great ship of the sea?  I think not. 


This was a good reminder to do some sailing a little bit farther away from our own safe harbor.  Sometimes we talk ourselves out of the "harder right" as President Monson put it, but there is no personal development or increase in that.  Not a picnic to experience, to be sure, but certainly an accomplishment as we look back and see the growth we have sustained in those hard moments. Often it is during the more perilous trips, fraught with the proverbial wind, rain, and high seas, that we learn how resilient and strong we really are. 


"A ship in harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for."  And neither are we.


So, sail on!

P.S.
 I was interested in seeing more about this quote, and read the following online at "Quote Investigator" after Harold shared that site with me.
"Here are additional selected citations....
.
The adage above has a natural metaphorical interpretation which encourages individuals to be more adventuresome. In 1901 a literal statement was published in a Duluth, Minnesota newspaper that displayed some thematic similarities. Warships should be kept moving and should not be left in harbor according to the statement. These ships at sea face some of the greatest risks; yet, interestingly, even a ship in harbor may “rust and rot”. The concept was ascribed to Theodore Roosevelt though the wording used was not attributed to him:

'President Roosevelt thinks that warships are not built to rust and rot in harbor. He wants them kept moving so that crews can keep in full practice at their seamanship, gunnery, etc. That sounds like hard sense.'"