Out of suffering have emerged the strongest souls; the most massive characters are seared with scars. –Khalil Gibran

In his book with Desmond Tutu, The Book of Joy, His Holiness the fourteenth Dalai Lama talks about “passing through difficulties” and using them. He doesn’t suggest being in a difficult spot and setting up camp there but instead focuses on passing through difficulties. Since children haven’t yet gained a wider perspective, they tend to see whatever is happening as final, whether it’s someone calling them names on the soccer field or something far worse.

Our role as parents and professionals is to help children begin to see how they can use any life experience, even the most challenging ones, as a force for good. Of course, I can only say........

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