And it should not define us. The person you are, and the person you will become, is formed in part by that experience. But joy matters more. 3/4  BIS - Central bankers' speeches  Our capacity for joy and kindness and hope is equally informed by our experiences. Our joy is magnified by the stark relief of the pain we endure.
It is sweeter and more life sustaining and more cherished for its ability to thrive in troubled times. Our stories-my family's, mine, yours-are about more than struggle. They are about joy and resilience. They are about our unique ability to see the bad in the world and live happily and loudly and outrageously anyway. Live in the joy. Have hope.