There is an old adage that “when God closes a door, He opens a window.” I contend that this not wholly true. I have found that when that door slams shut, not one but many windows open up. As soon as I made that a foundational part of my core beliefs, that every problem or tragedy presents several opportunities, my life began to turn around. My problems never seemed to be so big, and they didn’t last nearly as long. Have you had the same experience with this?

I think back to the times that I thought the next day either wouldn’t come or I didn’t want it to come, yet today, years later, I am still here. Still standing, firmer than ever.

When I couldn’t find a date for the prom, I was devastated. The beautiful Banana Pepper never misses an opportunity to say that my prom date was my Grandmother Millie. Although I didn’t take her to the dance, I did end up at her house playing cards that night!

As I look back, it doesn’t seem as important. I made it through. The same now can be said for every single time that I was knocked down and didn’t want to get up. I either rarely think of those times, or I can’t even remember them.

You see, every single bad thing that has ever happened to me is now water under the bridge, so why wouldn’t everything that will happen to me in the future be the same? It’s called PERSPECTIVE, and it’s a comforting feeling!

I now know, without a shadow of a doubt, that there is nothing short of me dying that I cannot get through. They say what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, well I am here to tell you that it is true.

A person's strength comes from adversity, and character from tragedy. We are all given adversity and tragedy, and it’s what we do with them that determines who we are. Make each failure your victory, and you’ll never truly lose!