The lotus is a gorgeous flower, but it endures an interesting process before you can see its beauty. The lotus blossoms on mud, which is dirty. The rainwater drops from the sky, meets what is left on the ground, takes those toxins, and turns it into a wet mess. In the mud, the lotus' root begins to form as oxygen and other nutrients support the lotus' growth. For many of us, our lives mimic the lotus' life. There are tremendous opportunities for growth during our times of hardship. The question is whether we choose to wallow in hurt and pain or whether we choose to learn from life's lessons and move forward. I chose the latter.