As I wander through the world around me, I often find myself drawn to the quiet strength that nature embodies. The roses I see every day reach for the sky, their petals fragile yet unyielding in the face of adversity. The phrase Per Aspera Ad Astra, meaning "through hardship to the stars," has always resonated with me, but more than a mere quote, it feels like a life philosophy. Much like the flowers that bloom against all odds, we, too, find our way by overcoming the obstacles life places before us. This journey of struggle and growth is something I find reflected in the plants that surround me.
Much like the rose’s thorny defense and its delicate petals, every challenge in life serves a purpose. We often overlook the lessons that struggle brings, but nature never hides its truth: growth requires resilience. It's not simply about looking good or appearing unbothered by difficulty; it's about enduring, adapting, and ultimately flourishing. The path to the stars, as the phrase goes, isn’t paved smoothly — it’s filled with sharp turns, unexpected hurdles, and times when giving up feels easier. But it's the persistence, the refusal to let go of our growth, that brings us closer to that elusive star.
Observing nature’s rhythm, I’m reminded that there is no rush. The trees I see stretching upward remind me of patience — their growth is slow, steady, and unhurried. Even in moments of harsh weather or difficult seasons, they remain grounded, adapting and pushing forward. "Per Aspera Ad Astra" speaks to this truth: we cannot reach our full potential without facing challenges, without enduring the tough moments that shape us into who we need to be. Nature, like us, takes its time to stretch toward the light, no matter how many times it has to bend or shift.
The world outside my window, fogged by condensation, blurs the clarity of what lies beyond, but even in that soft distortion, there is something beautiful. Just as the mist clouds my view, life often throws in distractions, making the way ahead unclear. But that doesn't mean the journey is lost. In those moments, we learn to move forward even when the path is hidden from view. Like the fog that eventually lifts to reveal a clearer sky, our struggles are often what allow us to see the world with a new perspective.
Reflecting on the life around me, I realize that the true beauty of nature is not just found in its outward appearance. It’s the story of its survival, its quiet resilience. The flowers, the trees, the winds — they teach us that life is a continuous process of becoming. It's not always about where we end up, but about the strength we gather as we continue on. Every challenge we face, much like the rose’s battle with the elements, brings us closer to the stars. And as we push through, reaching higher, we find ourselves transformed by the very struggles we feared.
All photographs and content used in this post are my own. Therefore, they have been used under my permission and are my property.
