Self Improvement: Take your hardships as blessings.

"In the arena of human life the honors and rewards fall to those who show their good qualities in action"
Aristotle

"Not until we are pricked, and stung, and sorely shot at, awakens the indignation which arms itself with secret forces. A great man is always willing to be little. While he sits on the cushion of advantage he goes to sleep. When he is pushed, tormented, defeated, he has a chance to learn something; he has been put on his wits, on his manhood; he has gained facts; learned his ignorance; is cured of the insanity of conceit; has got moderation and real skill. The wise man always throws himself on the side of his assailants. It is more his interest than it is theirs to find his weak point. Blame is safer than praise. I hate to be defended in a newspaper. As long as all that is said is said against me, I feel a certain assurance of success. But as soon as honeyed words of praise are spoken of me, I feel as one that lies unprotected before his enemies."

I use this essay as a tool to prepare myself for the battles of life. If you are young like myself, it is even more important to study this now. Although these truths may be hard to take in, its better to understand them now than learn them later. Life at times can be very hard, and I believe those hard times are made for us.. To test our wits. The harder the task, the greater the reward. If you fail try again, and again, you never truly fail until you give up. Each failure presents a equal or greater opportunity for success. Take your hardships as blessings, as a test, grit your teeth and fight through all circumstances. You can have whatever you want in life aslong as you fight for it, and you believe you can win.

"Any man may become great by doing the commonplace things of life in a great spirit, with a genuine desire to be of helpful service to others, regardless of his calling."
Napoleon Hill