Often it’s said that we should make the best of our struggles, but not so often are we told why that’s so important, specifically on a personal level. I’ve been considering what a rough one 2016 was. Many major icons died, many innocent people died in wars they had nothing to do with, many lost hope and faith in humanity and beyond the politics and world-wide crises, many people just had a really crappy year.

I found myself searching for reason amid the heartaches, and I found a pattern. Artists become successful because they struggled for their art, right? At least that's the general pattern. Heroes become heroes only after they embark on their journey and endure their trials, coming out stronger on the other side. Beyoncé worked to be where she is (#flawless), Elle Woods worked at being a lawyer and I'm sure da Vinci had to do a few rough drafts before he started the Mona Lisa. Struggle is merely part of the process, and I think accepting it as an opportunity for growth rather than focusing on how difficult growing can be adds significantly to our ability to come out on the other side a stronger person. You can let any trial be your downfall, or you can stop giving yourself excuses and fight. Fight whatever it is you need to fight. Most of the time you'll be fighting yourself. Take your pain and make it into something you can be proud of; create a world that you actually want to be alive in and share it with others. Struggle is how we can connect as human beings. It's what we can all say--"I've hurt before, maybe not like you, but I know pain, too"--and that's something to stand on. Maybe accepting pain and struggle is the real key to world peace. Maybe world peace isn't a one-time event, but a daily habit of accepting the bad hand of cards we're dealt and making the best we can out of it.

I'm of the belief that you can only love as deeply as you've been hurt. Maybe that isn't how it really works, but I've seen enough of a correlation between those who have lived through much hurt and heartbreak and those who loved everyone all the more in spite of their pain. And I think that's the true beauty of it; being able to still hope and love and have faith that people and life are all still good and worth sticking around for, even after seeing hell. Telling yourself that you can make it through anything isn't being arrogant, it's the pre-game pep-talk you need every day. Because struggle is only one piece of the puzzle, the rest will always come after the marathon and you will be able to one day, look at your demons, shake their hand and thank them for all that they helped you learn.