Sweeter After Difficulty

While my lineage has lived in the United States for many generations, I am very interested and proud of my Scottish heritage. When I was traveling in Scotland a few years ago, I became enamored with the country and, subsequently, my ancestors from there. I did research, traced back my lineage, and discovered some pretty amazing things (like the fact that my ancestor who came to America did so by boat, and the ship docked in the city I now live in—what?!). One of my favorite tidbits I’ve learned since researching my ancestry was discovering which Scottish clan my family had originated from.

 

My ancestors descend from the Fergusson clan. The clan’s motto is “Dulcius ex asperis (Sweeter after difficulties).” I love this motto so much that I now have a keychain with the saying on it. It’s a great reminder to deal with the ebbs and flows of life. This little phrase reminds me of two things. First, the sweeter parts of life are even sweeter after difficulties. By contrast, it makes these sweet parts of life easier to appreciate. Second, difficulties do not last forever. The sweetness will come.

I’ve really had to consciously remind myself of that second part recently. I’m amidst one of the difficulties of my life currently. I’m in less-than-ideal conditions and am facing countless rejections with things I’m aiming for to shape my life in a way I’d prefer. I’m unfulfilled, stuck, lonely, and terrified that not only are those that have rejected me correct in thinking I don’t have any more to offer the world than what I already offer now, but also that I’ll never progress much more than where I am now.

I know these are ridiculous, irrational thoughts for a 22-year-old girl near the beginning of her adult life. Yet I still become crippled with these emotions and thoughts far too often. And then I catch glimpses of my keychain as I start my car or unlock my house.

Sweeter after difficulty.

Things will change.

These difficulties will stop being difficult and good things will come. And the good will seem all the sweeter because of this time in my life. The solace that these words provide makes the $6 keychain money well spent and me proud of my heritage’s ties to the Fergusson clan.