A recent post discussed difficult times. In the comments section of that post some comments were made something to the effect that difficult times can make someone better and more kind. I agree. Below is part of a reply I made to a dear reader and friend:
Some of the kindest, most giving, and empathic people I know have experienced some pretty awful things in their lives. Then again, some people who do some terrible things also appear to have experienced many terrible things in their own live. So to a large extent, I believe it is a choice–like so many other choices we have each day, but one that often comes with much larger consequences.
Some will use their experiences as a way to help others, and some will use them as an excuse to hurt them. But many who head down the latter path can change their choices with the faith, love, hope, coaching, and kindness of others, often especially those who have walked such paths before them and know where they lead unless a different way is chosen in time.
This post is dedicated to everyone who has survived terrible times and chosen to make a positive difference in the world. Thank you!
Love,
Russ
Russ Towne's A Grateful Man 
you haven’t wasted your life, you’ve grown wise on the journey.
Thank you, Bill. I like to think so even when confronted with evidence that appears to indicate otherwise about the wisdom! I have no doubt about my life not having been wasted though. I’ve got the most amazing wife, children, grandchild(ren), in-laws, and friends to prove it!
What a wonderful post! Indeed, your life has been fruitful.
Thank you for your kind post, Koji! It is always good to hear from you.
Russ
Great post Russ… talking from experience..??
Thank you, bulldog. I have survived some pretty bad life experiences and literally have 36 inches worth of scars to prove some of them, but of course the worst ones heartbreaks show no scars on the outside, and in reality, many people suffer far worse things in life. I never grew up in a ghetto surrounded by poverty, drugs, and violence; wasn’t born without limbs, sold as a slave, or had to live in a bubble all my life, so it was easier for me to make the choices I made than it would have been for many. I’ve been incredibly lucky and blessed.
Russ
I so agree, Russ. It all comes down to choices. Thank you.
Cathy
Thank you for taking the time to comment, my friend.
Russ
A beautiful post!
I also know some wonderful people, not a bad bone in their body, who continously fall on hard times… I keep thinking, life must get better for them, surely, but it never seems to! I wonder why??