Should you shield the canyons from the windstorms you would never see the true beauty of their carvings.

Using a natural metaphor, the quote suggests that hardship and disruption (the “windstorms”) are not merely destructive but also formative: they shape character, depth, and meaning, just as erosion shapes a canyon’s contours. The implied counsel is against overprotection—of oneself or others—because insulating life from difficulty can prevent growth and the emergence of “true beauty,” understood as resilience, wisdom, or a fully realized self. Attributed to Kübler-Ross, it aligns with themes common in grief and end-of-life reflection: suffering can be integrated into a life narrative in ways that reveal unexpected value, even if it is not sought or welcomed.