ernest.

Okay, story time. Let's go back to my eighth grade English class. We have just been assigned to read a biography. I begin to shuffle through the pile of books my teacher set out for us. One catches my eye - it has a ship on the cover. It's about Ernest Shackleton. My thoughts go something like this: I have no idea who in the world that man is, but that ship is awesome. (For those of you that don't know, I love "the sea" and anything to do with it.) 

Fast forward seven years or so. I'm sitting here writing this post. Knowing and loving the story those pages held, I wish I could say I picked the book for more than just the cool ship on its cover. Ernest Shackleton, an Irish arctic explorer from the early 20th century, has become a real hero of mine. As I read of his struggles, his bravery, his will power and his yearn for exploration, I came to love this man. 

(As a little side note, while living in London I learned that Shackleton lived in my flat at one point. I was kind of beside myself when I saw the plaque in our library.)

And now I come to the reason for posting this story. Among the stories of courage this biography told was an excerpt from one of Shackleton's favorite poems. These words have come to be some of my favorite in the world of poetry. And I've been inspired to live, as Shackleton did, by these words.

Cue: Alfred Lord Tennyson's Ulysess

That which we are, we are; 
One equal temper of heroic hearts,

Made weak by time and fate, 

But strong in will

To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.