Cobalt-Blue, very true—resilience and endurance are very important qualities. Many times though, in the midst of everything, I was positive I didn't have either one. Now I realize I did, but maybe it just didn't look like I thought it would. 

Patrick, feel free to keep the compliments coming. I promise I won't find them redundant. :) Your comment is so well-expressed. That anger piece is a big one. Just as you pointed out, anger has the capacity to motivate, but it can also cause us to self-destruct. And you got the cycle just right: "the anger, the forgiveness, the self examination, and finally positive change." At least that's how I tend to experience it. 

Robin, thanks so much for letting me know what you appreciate about my posts. Sometimes I worry that I'm a big downer—that I spend too much time addressing heavy topics and the many bumps in the road. It's good to know that I can talk about those things and still, in the end, be perceived as offering hope.

Jessica, I love that in the midst of all these things you would never have chosen for your life, you've "become someone that [you] really like." What's really wonderful about the process, I've found, is that it gradually transforms not just how you feel about yourself, but everything around you, too. The things that seemed so important before suddenly hardly matter at all.

Trina, that is interesting—we seem to be looking through different lenses, but seeing the same view. I wonder what that means? (Thanks, as always, for your great encouragement.)