We've all been hurt. Battle scars exist in each and every one of us. Whether it's losing your first true love, or the death of a parent/friend, we all have wounds that cut deeply. But if you have the kind of strength that I believe exists in all of us, you can pick yourself up off the ground and stand proudly back up.

What I find really intriguing about these kinds of scars is that they're emotional, not physical, yet if you look closely enough, you can actually see the pain, the anguish, and the intensity of that wounded person. You can look directly into their eyes and see their life story. It's terribly amazing.

What we all must remember is that life is all about the ups and downs; it's merely a very long roller coaster ride. The bumps and bruises we obtain along the way make us who we are. We grow from every bit of suffering that we go through. I know my experiences have made me the strong-willed person that I am today. Every downfall that happens makes me stronger and wiser. Things hardly phase me anymore, yet I know I have a lot of learning left to do.

Advice of the day: Do not be afraid to suffer, for without suffering we would never realize the truly wonderful elements of life.

Feel free to share your scar stories if you'd like -- be sure to include what you gained from the experience, too!

Song of the day: Darryl Worley "Awful Beautiful Life"