Tough Times. Double “T”. No, I am not a saint because I say this. I don’t like tough times anymore than the next person. I wouldn’t purposefully choose tough times. And certainly it depends what tough times we’re talking about. I am not referring to terminal illness, death, unemployment etc., But I am referring to those times when life is just tough. Lots is going on in our lives. It usually involves relationships.
When I look back on my life, I know it’s been the tough times that have defined me, that have forced me to grow. I’m not one of those who believe that one can’t learn during the good times. I have. But the learning of the qualities that make me better person certainly has been the result of the struggles, depression (depressionsgift.com) being one of them.
Depression is one of those struggles I certainly wouldn’t knowing choose or willingly take on. Yet, it has been that struggle to remain firmly planted on a rock that has made me a better person. I will admit though, that much like a “recovered ” anything, I sometimes seem less sympathetic. Not because I don’t understand the struggle but because I don’t accept any self-indulgence or self-pity. It simply doesn’t help.
If you’re going through difficult times, I’m certainly not suggesting you should be grateful for it. I don’t mean that at all. But I’m just saying that for me, it’s how I’ve grown.
