One of our kids (big kids) is going through some ups and downs in the job world. It causes me to reflect on the ups and downs I have experienced in my own life. It is amazing how the combination of time and new experiences changes one’s perspective. But as a young person – lacking that perspective — things can look grim indeed. I can recall the endless days of working at a job that paid well, but was not at all engaging. The hours of repetitive work just dragged. At the same time, I was also coping with single-parenthood. It was not a happy time for me. Life moves forward, and the memory of those difficult times fades away.
The question I have is: did I gain something from those difficult years? Often people talk about becoming stronger for having faced adversity. Maybe . . . maybe not. What does happen, though, is that difficult times cause us to become aware of our own physical and emotional reservoir. Persevering in difficult times takes courage. As retirees, we should congratulate ourselves for the many times in our earlier years we have faced adversity and prevailed.
It is great to see a hint of spring in the air. Time to take down that Christmas wreath on my door! 
I agree about accumulated wisdom, but I get discouraged that I always seem to have a lot more to learn.