I definitely agree. And it doesn't even have to be tragedy in the full-blown sense, the pain and sorrow of everyday life is enough to want to harden my heart against the world. No matter what happens, though, it's in my nature to be somewhat optimistic and open to people, whether it helps or hurts me. Some say I never learn, but I prefer to think of that as a good thing when it comes to heartbreak.

I agree~As hard as life/love can be w/or w/out tragedy we must always perservere. If we harden our hearts to this then we will never recognize the beauty that is waiting just around the corner.

There is a Russian expression... translated it sounds something like: They screw us but we grow stronger. In my opinion, it's very true, with each heartbreak and each screw job, we grow stronger and more able to see ourselves through the tough time and come out smarter, more able to handle future problems, but not harder! So yes, I agree!

I think I take a less adversarial approach. Tragedy and adverse circumstances don't have to be fought against. If they're embraced, we can find the lessons hidden in them. Without challenging experiences, we can't grow and learn.

I agree, Misstarrie. My friend, I want you to read the following. It's from an interview with Amy Grant, the singer. In this excerpt, she talks about her friendship with the legendary Minnie Pearl AMY GRANT: "...my favorite thing - this was after she {Minnie Pearl] had her stroke and she had good days and bad days - I was pregnant with my daughter Sarah, the daughter I named after her. She was having a good day, and she was fairly lucid. She said to me, "Amy, you know what the most important color on an artist's palette is, don't you?" And I'm thinking, "Uh, primary colors?" (laughs). I said, "No, I don't know that I know that. I tend to like colors that you find in nature." She said, "Honey, it's black. Always remember that. It's black." She said, "Without black, everything is two-dimensional. It's when you mix the black in with every other color that you can create depth." She said, "That's the same as your life, Amy. It's all the dark times that create depth in a person." http://www.sptimes.com/2005/01/23/Floridian/Amy_Grant_s_palette.shtml ~~~~ I love those words. Our heartbreaks in life are what shape us, what builds character and forms compassion.

Thats the story of my life Misstarrie, I completely agree.

Agree with whatever helps us to become more compassionate. Hardened by experience? No, hopefully just more resilient next time.

Tragedy can do one of two things to us. It can cause our hearts to become calused and bruised, leaving us numb or overly sensitive to hurt, or it can soften our hearts. It's our choice of how we let tradedy shape us. Fantastic question, by the way.