Life and times!

Adversity. I would never have amounted to anything had I not been forced to come up the hard way.—J.C. Penney

This quote is so powerful and I too am glad that the road to my success wasn't paved with hand outs and gimmes. I've earned my status and didn't go through life thinking the world owed me something because I've endured hard times. Life is truly what you make it and I'm happy that I used those rough times as a catalyst to do better instead of whining and complaining.

I'm sure many of you can relate to the quote and now we have to teach those coming up the value of it.

There's too much spoiling of kids, wanting or expecting hand outs, and just being lazy going on instead of a proactive stand being taken. If a homeless man can go on to build a multi-million dollar empire, there are those who can at last get off the street. Granted, there are sometimes statutues and limitations that are beyond ones control, but if you're not at least willing to try, then there's no one to blame but yourself.

Just thought I'd put this out there as I just finished listening to someone baby their 23 year old daughter who bounced a check because she "thought she had time to get her nails done before the check cleared and she made her next deposit". WTF? Yes, people; I really heard that and the parent bailed the kid out by telling her "where there was some cash in the house, but don't tell mommy". That dad is setting his daughter up for failure and she'll never grow up with responsibilities or consequences for her actions.

Adversity is a blessing moreso than a curse!