Growing up was painful. I am referring to that time when we are no longer captivated by our innocence and the the realities of the world, the peers, the poking, the prodding come to the forefront. I am sure my story is no different than the millions of others who had to grow up before me, yet it was painful.

I was young and knew I was somewhat different from my friends, I was sensitive, I was shy and I was insecure. I can’t say that I hated my life but I did have moments of self loathing and depression. I was not “cool” and never could really fit in with the other kids. I was young and misguided and had a severe case the “why-ME-ness”-of it all.

Yet now as an adult with more experience and life behind me than most people my age I can look back and say I have no regrets. There is nothing I would trade in or do differently, for each experience good or bad shaped me.

It’s funny but in some way we are all like a pearl. An oyster creates a pearl from an irritant – A pearl is the creation of beauty from adversity, art from irritation. It illustrates that even the worst and most painful experience can become something of healing artistry. The pearl is a glowing example of a painful moment transformed into magnificence.

We all experience adversity and irritation, loss and anguish. We encounter failure, death, divorce, and disease. But like the oyster, we can learn to embrace these experiences, recognizing the transformational opportunities they present.

Like the pearl, our beauty is formed of life’s obstacles. The experiences of our lives, both thrilling and challenging, surround us. Transformation occurs again and again in our growing process. Every incident, every emotion, every success, every sorrow, becomes another layer of our development.

All of life is an opportunity to learn. The hardest times bring the most profound lessons, the biggest irritants can form the largest pearls. That is the way life instructs us, changes us. If we remain open to the experience and open our hearts and minds to learn from life’s hardships, it is then possible to see the challenge itself as a precious gift, a treasure–a pearl.

Peace and Love, Jim