This was such a powerful read. I may have come to this understanding through a very different path, but I wholeheartedly agree with everything you’ve written here. There was a time in my life when I was so buried in grief and despair that I hated life, hated God, hated fate, or whatever force I thought had “done” all of it to me.
But looking back now, I see that all of that was the catalyst for my spiritual awakening. The very thing that broke me open is what reshaped me. And strangely, beautifully, I’m grateful for it.
Your words reminded me how adversity becomes the teacher we never wanted but always needed. Thank you for writing this.
I’m so happy this resonated with you. I feel exactly the same way. I couldn’t be who I am now if I had not gone through everything I did. Thank you so very much Andrea for your thoughtful and loving comment. I appreciate you so much.
I read this and Nietzsche's “what does not kill us makes us stronger” came to mind.
I wonder if this would explain why our society has become so soft. Too many people not experiencing hardships because they are being coddled either by overprotective parents or possibly by society itself.
Sorry I was driving and wasn’t able to respond earlier. Yes this is also part of Confucian philosophy. I love Nietzsche. I also think this is part of the modern problem. I saw a meme somewhere and I can’t find it right now but it goes like this:
The Great Great Grandfather walked, the Great Grandfather rode a bike, the Grandfather drove a used car, the Father drove a sedan, the Son drove a porche, the grandson walked
An old friend of mine, he's dead now, but he worked a lot in car dealerships. He used to something to the effect of “the grandfather starts the business, the father builds the business, the son sells the business.
I have just scratched the surface in my interest in Nietzsche. I really need to get to the library and see what they have on hand. I need to make the time to start reading real books again.
This whole idea of growing through adversity is a major theme in literature and movies. Think of Hester Prynne in The Scarlet Letter. Hester, and her x husband and the priest all go through radical transformations ( for good or bad) based on how they react to their circumstances. It’s the heart of any great work of literature or movies, etc.
I agree wholeheartedly, in many of the ancient Chinese poems and stories, this theme is prominent. In The Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Liu Bei, struggles with the same defeat after defeat and heart break after heart break, and he becomes a legend of kindness, perseverance, and strength.
This was such a powerful read. I may have come to this understanding through a very different path, but I wholeheartedly agree with everything you’ve written here. There was a time in my life when I was so buried in grief and despair that I hated life, hated God, hated fate, or whatever force I thought had “done” all of it to me.
But looking back now, I see that all of that was the catalyst for my spiritual awakening. The very thing that broke me open is what reshaped me. And strangely, beautifully, I’m grateful for it.
Your words reminded me how adversity becomes the teacher we never wanted but always needed. Thank you for writing this.
I’m so happy this resonated with you. I feel exactly the same way. I couldn’t be who I am now if I had not gone through everything I did. Thank you so very much Andrea for your thoughtful and loving comment. I appreciate you so much.
Thank you, Dorie. Your words were a comfort tonight. I appreciate you so much. ❤️
You are absolutely lovely. Hugs and all good positive energies🩷🩷🩷🩷
Hugs right back to you! 🩷
I read this and Nietzsche's “what does not kill us makes us stronger” came to mind.
I wonder if this would explain why our society has become so soft. Too many people not experiencing hardships because they are being coddled either by overprotective parents or possibly by society itself.
Great article Dorie
Sorry I was driving and wasn’t able to respond earlier. Yes this is also part of Confucian philosophy. I love Nietzsche. I also think this is part of the modern problem. I saw a meme somewhere and I can’t find it right now but it goes like this:
The Great Great Grandfather walked, the Great Grandfather rode a bike, the Grandfather drove a used car, the Father drove a sedan, the Son drove a porche, the grandson walked
An old friend of mine, he's dead now, but he worked a lot in car dealerships. He used to something to the effect of “the grandfather starts the business, the father builds the business, the son sells the business.
I have just scratched the surface in my interest in Nietzsche. I really need to get to the library and see what they have on hand. I need to make the time to start reading real books again.
Yes I approve! Reading is paramount to good health in my humble opinion
This whole idea of growing through adversity is a major theme in literature and movies. Think of Hester Prynne in The Scarlet Letter. Hester, and her x husband and the priest all go through radical transformations ( for good or bad) based on how they react to their circumstances. It’s the heart of any great work of literature or movies, etc.
I agree wholeheartedly, in many of the ancient Chinese poems and stories, this theme is prominent. In The Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Liu Bei, struggles with the same defeat after defeat and heart break after heart break, and he becomes a legend of kindness, perseverance, and strength.
Sounds interesting, the story.
Love these quick shots of knowledge. This one definitely hits home for me. Great work!
Thank you so much!