Recently, a friend asked me out for a drink, telling me she needed to talk. She wanted an ear, and perhaps my perspective regarding someone close to her. I won't get into the discussion, but I what I'd like to say is below. I don't know if it's right or wrong, but it's what I've come to learn, and live by.
Life is full of ups and downs, and I believe that fluctuation in experience and emotion is what builds us. Without the downs, how would we truly appreciate the ups? Without having fallen, how would we know how to climb? It's having been there ourselves, that allows us to truly recognize that strength of character in others.
And we've all been there. We've fallen, we've hung on, we've climbed back up...and we're stronger for it. We can't steer clear of the pitfalls that line our path in life, but we can learn from them, and recognize what we've taken away: most importantly compassion, a lack of judgement, and strength of character.
I like to think that there is good in everything, and that sometimes it's just not so easy to see. I like to believe that's true. I hold on to that thought, and I look for the good. I look hard. It may be naive, but it gets me through.
And I do believe that though I couldn't see it at the time, I have gained something positive from each bump in the road, whether a small pothole, or a long, steep incline.
I can't avoid the negative. I know that. But I can, at least, try to see the positive - however small it may be.
