by Fran Mascioli

Created on: May 11, 2008   Last Updated: November 06, 2011

We are very rarely given the privilege of observing life from both sides of the proverbial fence. Often, our journey through this winding road called life is one-sided.  Individuals that have come face to face with losing everything they once considered important, are being given the chance to test  their character. Any opportunity to question our integrity will show us what we are made of.  When we make an effort to view life on "the other side", we sometimes envy the happiness we perceive in someone else's territory.

Few strong, confident, successful business men and women have been presented with a true challenge of their morals and ethics. And without a true test of our principals, we simply do not get a chance to understand our life, our family, our goals... ourselves. If the daily routine was to wake up in the morning and prepare breakfast for the children, how would you cope with suddenly having a bare cupboard and no resources to fill it?  Just how prepared are you for a natural (or unnatural) disaster?

Would you do without for your children? Would the thoughts of your own personal needs and wants suddenly become unimportant, or would you resent giving your infants and toddlers the last morsel? Many unemployed parents continue to purchase cigarettes for their personal use while grocery shopping. After a job loss, making the decision to either pay the mortgage or cancel the cell phone can create a stressful enviornment in an already troubled situation. When family finances are tight, do you still feel the necessity for holding on to your boat?  Your four-wheeler?  Your PlayStation or Wii? 

So many people going through difficult times, tend to blame the government, or to blame society. Rarely do they relish the opportunity for self-realization. Ah, but there are the few individuals willing to accept (after the experience has run it's course and life returns to a semi-normal state) that they were able to get a very good glance at their true character. Those that face true loss, and are still willing to give all that they have for the sake of others, will come out of the experience a better person. And therein lies true success. Suddenly, all the luxuries that they viewed as important previously will transform. Their priorities will be changed forever.  They will find they are content with less things, but much happier with friends, family and . . . maybe . . . just maybe: they will have earned self-respect.

Hardships in life will force us to focus on survival, and will demand action on our part. Any difficult experience should provide us with a lifelong understanding of what we are truly made of. And this rare opportunity to glimpse life on both sides of the fence, will be worth more than a luxury vacation, or Maverick outboard motor boat, or big-wheeled Jeep Wrangler.  It will be priceless. The beautiful lawn growing on the other side of the fence will be simply . . . green grass sprinkled with the occasional weed.

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