Valleys

A valley can be a beautiful place; a place of comfort and rest. You lie back on the lush, green bank of a bubbling stream, drinking in the blue sky and foamy clouds. That's the valley of refreshing.
But there's another valley; the shadowy one. It's the lowest kind of valley; dark, rocky, thorny. No refreshing spring here. Not even the faintest hint. Only arid soil beneath your weary feet. Dusty earth, parched and cracked, makes your journey unpleasant.
No where to go but up. So you climb. Your efforts are rewarded by a rich sense of accomplishment. And the view is breathtaking! You are stronger for having climbed.
Soon, on the mountain top, you begin to feel the breeze picking up strength. The winds are forceful, and buffet you. You can hardly keep your footing, so you start to seek the shelter of a valley.
Valleys surround every mountain, and from the heights it's hard to tell one from another. On your descent, you'll naturally look for a valley of refreshment, but if you happen to stumble into a shadowy one, don't worry. It's okay if you have to spend some time there. It's a place of strengthening, too.