Hardship

Enduring hardship is tough.

To bear that which you think you cannot bear is really to bear.

(Nitobe)

It can be very difficult to stay relaxed, calm and compassionate when things seem to go from bad to worse.

These are trials of character. We can learn a lot from them; about who we are and how we respond under pressure.

If we can endure, then the experience can change us for the better - like the forging of a sword, where the raw metal is beaten repeatedly by the blacksmith until it has strength that is needed for what lies ahead.