Beauty

[Celticrose]

On 10/26/2014 Goldengate8361 said: It totally depends on your response to the hard times.... All of life CAN make you stronger. Good counseling also really helps.

Yes, I am definitely stronger for the hardships I and my family have endured. I've survived things I never dreamed I would be able to. Not that I would want to do it again! Hardship also makes you appreciate what you have and the blessings of just a normal day--not waiting on a test result. Being able to walk, see, sleep and eat! I take very little for granted now.

[Celticrose]

On 3/8/2015 jump4joy said:

On 3/8/2015 jackyl said:

My father just died in January and I'm absolutely devastated. It's not going to make me stronger or a better person at all. It's just going to ruin me for who knows how long.

So sorry for your loss. Our fathers are very special to us. I lost my father over ten years ago and life has never been the same. Hang on to those precious memories.....

A death is something you never get over. Ever. It might get easier with time, but the pain and loss never goes away. My condolences.

[KathyM23]

I just have to say something to Sid's Mom. I have to wonder just what real trauma or truly tragic circumstances she has that makes her an authority on how others who have or are experiencing extreme situations should react. Her ""half empty or half full"" philosophy is fine for life's ordinary ups and downs we all experience on our journey. There is a huge difference between these bumps in the road and the truly traumatic and tragic circumstances others may be suffering. It is belittling to them to be viewed as ""negative"". They should be lauded for just being able to hold on. Sid's Mom - please show some compassion for those dealing with things you couldn't begin to understand without being in their shoes.

[sevenup]

I guess it depends on what kind of issues you have had to deal with and how they were brought about.

I have had my share of very difficult times, including 3 miscarriages. Nothing about those miscarriages made me stronger or the more wiser. Absolutely nothing. It was so sad and stressful it changed me to the core.

On the other hand I have had issues that, while they were hard to deal with, made me stronger with respect to wisdom. I see wisdom as strength!