I believe that great good can come out of the broken places in our lives. The circumstances that threaten to shatter and end our world can turn out to be the greatest blessing we've ever experienced. If we have the right attitude, we can turn our scars into stars. In reality, it's our struggles that make us strong. I have never met a strong successful person who didn't have to endure tough circumstances. Many have had to overcome great obstacles to achieve the success that they now have today. The road to success is paved with milestones of failure because there can be no mountains without valleys. What makes the mountains so high is how low the valleys are. The great book says, "Do not despise the day of small beginnings." Having the right perspective on the lows in our lives provides opportunities to learn and to grow.

To thrive despite our past negative experiences will require the gift of persistence; making a commitment to keep moving forward and reaching for our dreams. Persisting means looking for opportunities in the negative things we've had to endure. If we choose this path, we can find treasures in the darkness that plague our lives.

I like this quote by Mehmet Murat IIdan that says, "Do not always run away from the darkness! Remember the beautiful lakes which are hidden inside dark caves! In the least expected places, there exist the most beautiful treasures!