"Out of suffering have emerged the strongest souls; the most massive characters are seared with scars."

Khalil Gibran

"Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved."

Helen Keller

"If you're going through hell, keep going."

Sir Winston Churchill

I was looking for words of comfort.

I've always been a 'thinker' – and I think I share that blessing and affliction with most of us here – deep thinkers who go beyond the blind acceptance of those less interested, less curious.

I have a model in my head that the world should be a good place, that people should be kind, and that there are meant to be happy endings... this in spite of all the evidence.

I don't get it... yet...

What a wonderfully ambiguous phrase.

When the world doesn't make sense, sometimes the words we say to each other can keep us going. I like this from Reinhold Neibuhr, "God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference."

I know it's not cool to mention 'God' (or 'Brexit') here, so I'll pick up the bits that may not cause offence: acceptance and courage and wisdom.

I've been 'thrashing' this week, relentlessly trying to change the things I cannot change. It's been horrible, and it is not wise at all. I still don't want to accept the things I cannot change – but perhaps I can choose to give them no further attention.

What I need is the wisdom to recognise the things I really can change, and the courage (or sheer bloody-mindedness) to take action – either will do.

What disturbs me most is that when I am under pressure the emergence of a noble character is the least likely outcome. I haven't got better, I've got bitter.

So, I'm throwing this over to you and your wisdom.

What strategies have you successfully used to turn setbacks into springboards, stumbling blocks into stepping stones, and bad crap into good character?!

Lex

A Moodscope member.