It can be done · Chapter 112What Dark Days Do
This chapter is not translated yet. You are reading the original.
A real man does not want all his barriers leveled. He of course welcomes easy tasks, but he welcomes hard ones also. The difficult or unpleasant thing puts him on his mettle, throws him on his own resources. It gives him something of
"The stern joy which warriors feel In foemen worthy of their steel."
Moreover as a foil or contrast it enables him to value more truly the good things he constantly enjoys, perhaps without perceiving them.
I sorter like a gloomy day, Th' kind that jest won't smile; It makes a feller hump hisself T' make life seem wuth while. When sun's a-shinin' an' th' sky Is washed out bright an' gay, It ain't no job to whistle—but It is— When skies air gray!
So gloomy days air good fer us, They make us look about To find our blessin's—make us count The friends who never doubt, Most any one kin smile and joke And hold blue-devils back When it is bright, but we must work T' grin— When skies air black!
That's why I sorter like dark days, That put it up to me To keep th' gloom from soakin' in My whole anatomy! An' if they never come along My soul would surely rust— Th' dark days keeps my cheerfulness From draggin' In th' dust!
Everard Jack Appleton.
From "The Quiet Courage."