"This discipline and rough treatment are a furnace to extract the silver from the dross. This testing purifies the gold by boiling the scum away."

~ Mevlana Rumi, 13th century sufi poet and mystic from Rumi Daylight: A Daybook of Spiritual Guidance

Yet another of Rumi's thoughts on the value of challenges: "It is God’s kindness to terrify you in order to lead you to safety.”

And perhaps my favorite: "If you are irritated by every rub, how will you be polished?"

How can we possibly grow without challenge and a bit of discomfort?

Here's to our polishing!