I was speaking with friends this week and even though we had been through some hard things, heart breaking trials in our lives, we all agreed that those were the things that made us who we are, made us stronger, and more compassionate.

No matter what it was that happened in my life, if I was able to get through it, I was also 'gifted' with something quite amazing.

The ability to give someone hope.

Someone that is able to navigate a minefield, can tell you where to step, help you to get through it even better then they did. When I got through things I often came across someone soon after that that was begining to go through what I just did. I understood deeply what they were facing and feeling, maybe more than someone that could only give them advice. I could tell them first hand what I did and that it worked for me. But more than that, I could assure them through my own life experience that they were going to be ok, that they would smile again, and that one day they would be able to help someone else.

Have you found this to be true for you?