The process of navigating the journeys of our lives is often symbolized by sailing on a stormy sea as the wind and the waves whip around us. Just as the wind can be either an obstacle or a support based on a sailor’s skill, so can our circumstances either hinder or help us depending on how we choose to view and respond to them. The 18th-century historian and author Edward Gibbon recounts a battle determined by wind in his astounding six-volume work, “The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire.” During the siege of Constantinople, “a squadron [of] five stout and lofty ships” sailed by “skillful pilots … long practiced at the perils of the sea” set out to rescue the city. Heavy-laden with supplies and faced with bountiful cannons and artillery, the sailors used their deftness and resilience to turn their obstacles to their advantage, which led to their success. As Gibbon points out, sometimes our greatest strength is simply our resolve to ride through the rough waters of life and just keep sailing as best we know how.

In the last 50 years, reading the work of author Judy Blume has become a kind of rite of passage for middle-graders. Now-beloved books such as “Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret” (1970) and “Otherwise Known as Sheila the Great” (1972) frankly and humorously depict the rollercoaster of the tween and teen years, from crushes and periods to bullying and sibling envy. Blume’s books have often been banned across the U.S. for their realistic portrayals of the teen experience, which has inspired her to work with the National Coalition Against Censorship to promote free speech. In this quote from Blume’s online blog, she gives advice to parents of children going through their turbulent teen years. However, her words can apply to any of us in all stages of our lives. Remaining fully present in the moment and knowing when to ask for help are crucial skills that can help ensure we don’t get overwhelmed.

“Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus” was published in 1818. Its author, Mary Shelley, was just 19 years old when she finished writing the novel — an impressive feat for someone so young, especially given the enormous literary and cultural impact the book would go on to have. Equally impressive is the nuanced nature of the novel, especially when it comes to the figure of Frankenstein’s monster. Depending on one’s perspective, the monster can be viewed as both protagonist and antagonist: a complex, sensitive, and articulate creation who yearns to share his life with another being such as himself. Rejected and abhorred by everyone — including his creator, the scientist Victor Frankenstein — he seeks revenge. The monster tells Frankenstein he has become fearless, with nothing left to lose, and that this fearlessness makes him strong. Although our personal obstacles may not be as daunting as those faced by Frankenstein’s monster, we can still unearth boundless strength and agency within ourselves when we learn to live beyond the borders of our fears.