Growth through Resistance
In the Biosphere 2 Project at the University of Arizona, scientists created a “mini-Earth” biosphere, to study plant growth and organic systems in a controlled environment. Despite the seemingly ideal climate, the trees grew at a faster rate and would collapse before reaching maturity.
They discovered the failure to reach maturity was due to the absence of wind in the trees' environment. The wind gives the trees strength. They respond to it by developing "stress wood", allowing the tree to contort and better position itself in its environment.
Without working through and learning from useful stresses, we as humans do not build up the strength to persevere, to “grow around” a challenge. This is the essence of what Dallington instils in its mentees.