Feel like I'm gonna take some flak from all the optimists for this one.  Meh.  Whatever.

Hey.  Y'know what really grinds my gears?  The saying, "whatever doesn't kill me only makes me stronger."  Um... yeah... with some obvious exceptions.  How about muscular dystrophy?  How about osteogenesis imperfecta?  Epidermolysis bullosa?  Polio?  Varicella Zoster?  How 'bout cancer?  How 'bout a paralyzing spinal injury?  How about friggin PTSD?  How about f*cking long COVID??

How about f*ckin'...

Yeah, yeah, yeah.  I know, I know.  Overcoming adversity, learning lessons, becoming more resilient, blah, blah, blah.  I don't care.  Still bugs me.  Remember, I'm the world's biggest pessimist.

Also, on an entirely serious note, I have long believed and preached that the valuable lessons that people report to learn from experiencing and overcoming extreme adversity can be learned without said adversity happening to you.  The lessons are readily available to be learned without having to lose our homes, our limbs, our eyes, our ears, or our loved ones.  All one needs to do is learn how to pay attention.

And that's all for this episode.  See you next time, my little ponies.