I kind of correlate "nuggets" to the struggles in my life - not that mine are inherently worse or better than anyone else's struggles. Different, yes ... and the "pearls" - those are successes in my life. A struggle can be as simple as not being able to get a cap off a jar; a success can be the tenacity to finally conquer getting the cap removed.
Being somewhat of a "rebel" and "spoiled" (so I'm told) child, growing up was a greater challenge for me. When you choose to be defiant, question authority, walk your own path, and dance to a different drummer, ultimately life can be a bit tougher. We all have those hard times in our lives that mold us, however, who and what become has much to do with our personal decisions. Those decisions and our choices on how to react to the fallout of those decisions is what essentially helps us grow and mature into, hopefully, a productive human being. I often tell people it's too bad we can't begin our lives with the wisdom we seem to gain, as we age. Having said that, lack of character may be our loss. I believe part of our journey on this earthly plane is to learn to overcome adversity. Adversity builds character, and this is the "character" I am becoming (I state that as "active", since I am still among the living) ... *smile*
www.takeourwordforit.com
http://www.costellos.com.au/pearls/index2.html