Do life’s difficulties have a point?

Difficulties should be identified as opportunities. 

Throughout time, many great people have appeared, and they have all become great out of difficulties that they’ve had. They have been able to take the difficulties and use them as a source of learning. You do not become a great person by simply enjoying and having a good time. 

Ordinary people encounter difficulties and are weighted down and are unable to get up. Great people do not accept suffering as suffering – instead, they see it as an opportunity, they learn from difficulties and mistakes and improve themselves.

His Holiness, 17th Gyalwang Karmapa
Ogyen Trinley Dorje

From talk at Root Institute, Bodh Gaya, January 2015