By Hal Borland
Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
"Knowing trees, I understand the meaning of patience. Knowing grass, I can appreciate persistence." This insightful Hal Borland quote about persistence weaves together the timeless lessons of nature and their impact on our daily lives. Nature’s quiet rhythms can teach us far more than just science — they invite us into a deeper awareness of ourselves. In these simple words lie keys to navigating life’s challenges with strength and wisdom. This quote isn’t just poetic, it’s a practical guide for anyone seeking encouragement and steady growth.
What Does This Quote Mean?
Hal Borland’s words invite us to observe the world around us and learn from the quiet teachers of the natural world. Trees and grass, while seemingly ordinary, hold profound lessons. At the literal level, the quote points to qualities we can notice in nature. Trees take years, sometimes decades or centuries, to reach maturity. Their growth, strength, and resilience are all the result of steadfast waiting and enduring through the seasons. In the same way, Borland highlights that watching the patient development of trees can show us how important it is to give things time and not rush the process.
Grass, on the other hand, embodies a different, but equally vital, quality. No matter how often it is trampled, mowed, or faced with the elements, grass returns — quietly and persistently. It does not grow tall and mighty like a tree, but it never gives up, constantly pushing through obstacles, season after season. Borland’s Hal Borland quote about persistence uses these two natural metaphors to encourage us to recognize when to be patient and when to be persistent. Sometimes, we need to be like the tree, accepting that growth is slow but steady. Other times, it is better to take the approach of grass, never giving up in the face of setbacks, always trying one more time.
This quote is more than a poetic observation; it is a practical reminder that different situations in life call for either patience or persistence, each valuable in its own right. Sometimes, letting things unfold naturally is wise. At other times, repeated effort brings renewal and progress. By connecting closely with the rhythms of nature, Borland shows us how to tune in to these lessons and use them as steady guidance.
How Can You Use This Quote in Life?
Life’s challenges can feel overwhelming, but by applying the dual wisdom of patience and persistence, you can find greater steadiness and satisfaction. Here are some practical ways to bring this Hal Borland quote about persistence into your day-to-day routine:
1. When facing long-term goals, think like a tree
Are you learning a new skill, aiming for a degree, or working on your career? Instead of expecting instant results, embrace patience. Trees do not grow overnight — they slowly build strong roots and steady branches. Let your progress be gradual, focusing on consistent efforts rather than fast outcomes. Whenever impatience arises, remind yourself of the slow, steady growth of trees.
2. When you’re met with setbacks, channel the grass
Life often comes with obstacles, failures, and setbacks. Like grass trampled underfoot, you might feel knocked down. Yet, persistence means rising again, even when it feels pointless. Keep returning to your goals, even in small ways. This doesn’t mean you can’t rest — it means you don’t quit. Each time you start again, you develop resilience.
3. In relationships, blend patience with gentle persistence
Growth in friendships, family bonds, or romantic partnerships also benefit from this balance. Sometimes, you need to give others time and space (patience). Other times, gentle persistence, like continuing to reach out or communicate, is key. Notice which approach is needed and be willing to shift between them.
4. With new habits, combine slow growth with perseverance
Building better health, learning to meditate, or adopting daily routines all work best with a mix of patience and persistence. Like trees, sustainable growth is slow and steady. Like grass, habits often get derailed — but you can always start again. Allow yourself to begin anew without judgment. Remember, both trees and grass endure through cycles.
5. When overwhelmed, look to nature for a reset
Sometimes the best reminder is outside your door or seen through a window. Watch the quiet progress of a growing tree or the unstoppable return of grass after winter. Nature’s models can inspire you to reframe your situation: do you need to wait, or push through? Let their wisdom inform your mindset.
Putting the Hal Borland quote about persistence into action is less about rigid rules and more about noticing, adapting, and returning to nature’s steady way. Whether you’re in a season that calls for patience like a tree, or action and persistence like grass, you can trust these qualities to lead you forward.
✨ The Motivation Message
You’ve already got what it takes to be steady and persistent — really! Patience and persistence aren’t just for the rare few. Every single day, you show glimpses of both, even if you don’t notice it. The lesson of Hal Borland’s quote is that you are stronger than the storms, and your efforts matter, even when progress seems invisible. Like trees, some victories take time. Like grass, your ability to stand back up, again and again, will set you apart.
Today, try seeing yourself as part of a larger, natural rhythm. There will be days you need to pause and let things ripen, and there will be days you must rise after falling. Both are signs of real strength! 🌿 Hold onto this truth — just as the world keeps turning, you can keep growing. Surprise yourself by sticking with something a little longer, or by starting again even when it’s hard. You have patience. You have persistence. Go out and prove it — to yourself most of all! 💪
About Hal Borland
Hal Borland, who was born in 1900 and died in 1978, was a celebrated American author, journalist, and nature writer. Raised in Colorado and Nebraska, Borland developed a deep appreciation for the landscapes and cycles of the natural world. His writing for The New York Times and in his many books often highlighted the wisdom found in ordinary, everyday encounters with nature.
Borland’s worldview was grounded in the belief that people could learn essential life skills from the natural world around them. He wrote with clarity, warmth, and a deep sense of respect for both the environment and the people who depend on it. This quote about patience and persistence reflects a key thread in his work — the idea that true growth and renewal spring from paying close attention to the living world. Whether through poetic observations or practical essays, Hal Borland encouraged a mindset of mindful, steady perseverance, trusting in cycles of change and the promise of renewal that each season brings. His legacy continues to inspire those looking for guidance, comfort, or motivation in life’s ongoing journey.
