Do not judge me by my successes, judge me by how many times I fell down, and got back up.

“Do not judge me by my successes, judge me by how many times I fell down, and got back up.”- Nelson Mandela

“Nothing is more beautiful than the smile that has struggled through the tears”- Demi Lovato

Today’s message is very personal for me as it deals with someone whom I care for deeply, and their battle with a serious health issue. Throughout their life, this person has had setbacks, which have included social, educational, and physical hardships. Each time one of these setbacks occurred, they never retreated or felt sorry for themselves, rather they persevered, encountered the difficulty, and found a way to grow and gain from the experience. This individual now faces a tougher battle, and while the task of dealing with this issue is difficult, they are remaining positive and radiating that positivity to all of us who share this journey with them. I have learned through this experience what bravery is all about, and I am a better person for sharing in this experience.

We are not defined only by how we live life when things go well; we show our true strength when we face and deal with the challenges life throws our way. Our heroes are those who face adversity head-on, and by overcoming that adversity, they show all of us that we should never let life’s challenges set us back, but rather how we can all grow from the difficult situations life poses for us. I know this to be true; as I watch this individual deal with this issue, I know that I will never let any setback deter me from achieving my goals, and I thank him for his strength and more so for his example.