Your biggest challenge turns into your biggest strength because you spend so much time dealing with it that you become good at it. You know how hard it is so you have empathy for others. My son’s life did a 180 when he other people who stutter. That was amazing for me to see, my son is *so* much happier and willing to face life and the people who inspired him see their own power to make a difference in this world. This kid is growing up knowing he has a community and knowing that his stutter doesn’t need to define him and he can do whatever he wants in life. I did not and could not do that for my son. Only a person who stutters could do that. I’ve had a horrible, horrible week and it has come at me from all sides. The icing on the cake was that I had put money in my glove compartment for a Christmas present on Wednesday night and on Thursday morning my car was ransacked. My daughter said to me “you have us and they didn’t take the car so it’ll be ok. It’s ok if I don’t get any gifts for Christmas “. That turned it around right there. I have what matters and I can bounce back from setbacks. And, I’m raising good people. I’ve forgiven the addict that did it and today is a new day. I have that strength to stay focused on what matters and grounded. I can let go of what I can’t change. I can do that because I have perspective. That doesn’t come free in life. That comes through the struggle. Only a person who has descended into the depths can truly appreciate the view from above. It a paradox of life. You understand and appreciate peace when you’ve experienced torment. Hope comes from a place desperation. Etc etc.