Pain and poverty… suffering and sadness…
Every day brings forth its own myriad of challenges
That inundate the soul in the ocean of life
Wherever I go, whatever turn I make,
Some adversity awaits me with weapons ready,
Ready to strike when I least expect it
It grapples with me into the ground,
Pushing me to rise up, only to fall again… until I realize
Maybe, just maybe,
Difficulties only enhance character

Every sword in existence
Has endured more than we could ever imagine
Razed by the ferocious flames of tribulation,
Tempered by trials, unforgiving and heartless,
Beaten by the merciless strikes of the cruel, apathetic hammer,
The sword is shaped solely by the torments it has weathered
Like the sword, the human spirit is forged
But not through the fire of the furnace, but of life
Because, and only because,
Difficulties only enhance character

Sadness and suffering… Poverty and pain…
Try as you may to harm,
Try as you may to maim,
I can do more than endure all of your gifts
I can counter with an attack of my own
So give me all you can give me
And launch it with the greatest speed you can muster
For I have learned to throw it all back with content
Since I know, as we all know,
Difficulties only enhance character