I am finally feeling a bit of strength after everything I've been through and some sort of release is also there in my life, a sort of freedom and less fear.  I never thought I would recover from what I have faced so far but now I see how these things can make us stronger and teach us about life. I feel like living my life more than ever since my illness and my mother passing and I feel strong since I survived both problems and happenings.  It has me thinking as I tap into more power than before, about others who go through tough times.

Have you come through a very hard time and found yourself stronger?  What sorts of happenings have made you stronger after you have made it through?  Please share with me your experiences that have given you strength if you don't mind.

"That which does not kill us makes us stronger..."

It should say, " That which does not kill us had it's chance now stand by for heavy rolls as the ship comes about, it's my turn"

I like Annalisa (but in different ways) lived thru my childhood, that has made me stronger, but has also made me the "Take no BS, sarcastic, angry Virgo before you"

Don't worry............you are safe while I am re-loading...

ha ha, VA!  Let's hope you never have to use a gun now that you have retired from the Navy!  I would not want to see that!

I'm very happy to hear that you are feeling stronger Annalisa :) :) :)

For me, I've become stronger since tr. pluto left my moon.  I've learned that I'm made for this stuff, not only that, but also that the lack of support is ok.  I can handle it on my own, I'm more than strong enough :)  I feel happy again in just being me, no matter what comes my way :)
Angie

Being "deprived" of relationships so to speak (Saturn in Libra) has strengthened me greatly. The time alone has forced me to work on myself and it's been excellent.

Dealing with my father's illness has also strengthened me. It's hard to verbalize beyond that.

I'm a firm believer in this statement. Yes, there have been things I've endured that have made me a stronger in character. But, I'm beginning to see that sometimes a person can endure something and become stronger for it..but not necessarily in a positive way. If that makes sense. They survive. They are stronger..but that strength may not be used for good. Maybe it's that they become hardened instead of strengthened

On a completely DIFFERENT note, I'm soo glad to hear that you are feeling better :) Here's hoping the sun shines fully on you as you pass out of this tunnel :)

{Annalisa} I'm thrilled !

Coming through difficult times myself I know coming through in one piece is never an easy road. Sometimes we just don't live long enough to get through the other side, you know?

I'm pressed for time ... gotta go :(

I'm glad you're feeling stronger Annalisa. You are much valued and appreciated round here.

"That which does not kill us makes SOME OF us stronger." I've seen both scenarios play out. Sometimes a devastating life event occurs and the person never recovers the strength that they had before. It takes a permanent toll.

I think rather than becoming stronger, I simply learn to live with less than before. I think it's more of purification than strength, because I always find myself in weakness again of a different kind.

Hemingway had a phrase for it...

The world breaks everyone, and afterward, many are stronger in the broken places.

Very happy you're feeling stronger, Annalisa. <3

Glad to hear that  your life is improving Annalise. I am in agreement with Josephine. It is true that adversity makes many people stronger. It also helps bring life into better focus. But I have known too many broken people to believe that what doesn't kill you will make you stronger.

(((((Annalisa))))))

When Saturn transited my 7th in 2003 my then-partner almost died in an accident. It was a really long and gruelling recovery for him. The relationship is now over but I don't regret it. We were together for 8 years; his accident was in the 2nd year.

I look back on that time with pride--that I was able to step up when needed. I was keenly aware that while none of my friends my age had a comparable experience (I was 26), at some point later in life they likely would.

So, in a way I was grateful to have the experience young, knowing that all life involves illness and death. It was a fruitful training period.

Such Herculean adventures require rest for the weary.  Be gentle with yourself the coming months.  You deserve it!

I strongly believe in it. It's one of the most optimistic things you can say.

And I'm glad you're feeling much better Annalisa!

Quite honestly, I'm feeling a bit shell-shocked right now.  I'm taking a lot longer to bounce back than I thought.  That makes me angry with myself for being such a slug, but then I remind myself of everything I've been through.  I may act like Wonder Woman, but I am not. 

The more I try to walk and exercise to get back to my normal weight, the more my knees tighten up on me.  The more I try to meditate, the more I'm too tired to do it every night.  I can't seem to get back to the me I used to be before this last marriage. 

I must say I got through that last relationship and all its fallout acting like a normal person.  However, it was years of complete strife and chaos, and losing everything I had built up myself my entire life. 

I never give up.  Every day I try to exercise and meditate.  If I fail, I try again the next day.  My faith tells me that something wonderful is just around the corner for me.  I keep fighting the fact that I am supposed to use this "down time" to get myself in healthy shape again.  I have to remind myself that I am not being lazy - I am recovering! 

I am getting serious about eating healthy the way I did before the marriage.  I keep reading different metaphysical topics, watch Joyce Meyer in bed as I wake up, meditate or read my old meditations, do some sort of exercise, and try not to be so hard on myself.  I talk to friends, and keep in touch with my friend who is going through some of what I went through to give her support.  I PRAY.  I went to a new church for the first time last week.  I'll keep trying until I suddenly realize I feel like a happy "me," whoever that turns out to be.

I can identify with your situation Isernia, but you are being much more proactive than I am. I really admire your efforts and I'm sure they will pay off for you in the long run.

Josephine - I wish it actually FELT like I was being proactive!  I feel like I don't know what the hell I'm doing!  Let's hope I do get credit for trying!  lol

Glad to hear you're feeling better Annalisa.

The quote 'What doesn't kill you makes you stronger' immediately makes me think of Pluto.  Looking back, I had transiting Pluto on my Neptune during the lowest point in my life where I had lost everything (resigned from my job and in the middle of working out what to do with the rest of my life and attempting to recover from a relationship break-up).  The only thing that was left intact was my family.  

I definitely feel stronger having come out of hell hole.