Yes, it's something like the story of the butterfly ...where it would not have the strength to fly, if not for the struggle it goes through to get out of the chrysalis. And who doesn't look with wonder at the beauty of the butterfly, as it flutters and floats with such ease and effortless grace.

And how much are we like the hungry caterpillar ...consuming life, not knowing of the transformation God wants to perform in us??

We are to live life to its fullest ...through Him, not ourselves. But, it takes all our effort to do so ...or we make it harder on ourselves, and at times we quit trying.

I've often thought of different scenarios:

A person works his way up the ladder to success ...then forgets his roots, his friends, and what he used to be.

A person is born with parents of great success and wealth, his parents pass on, the wealth is all his, he is taken by an opportunist promoting the promise of more wealth, and he loses it all.  He is an angry and bitter man.

A person works his way up the ladder to success ...does not forget his roots, helps out his friends, and creates several businesses that employ lots of people.

A person is born with parents of great success and wealth, his parents pass on, the wealth is all his, he is taken by an opportunist promoting the promise of more wealth, and he loses it all. He is now living at a shelter and eats at the local soup kitchen. He is grateful for what he has and always has a kind smile for everyone.

A person feels life is not fair and he should have what other people have. He decides to do something about it. But, what he does ...is not a persistent resolve to work diligently to save to get what he wants. He has a job paying $12/hour ...and he even qualifies for some government assistance, but he likes to party too much and misses too much work. He gets a gun, and he will use it to get what he wants ...what he should have and what is deserving of him.  He gets what is deserving of him. He now has a place to stay with no rent, and he gets free meals ...in his cell.

For every scenario that you can imagine, there are multiple responses by individuals within those life situations. People often like to excuse themselves or others that they empathize with.  They feel their environment is responsible for what has happened to them ...and they feel that excuses their actions, and any reactions they may have. 

But, there are those who do not make excuses ...and they feel they have to take responsibility, and also accept their lot in life. They do accept the fact that they feel at times like giving up, but they do not give up.  They try to improve their life, but if it doesn't happen right away, or if it never happens ...they try to grin and bear it.

The fact is, some people work their way up the ladder of success and some people fall off the ladder ...yet, neither is as significant in life as is our choice of how we react both to our former and latter condition.