Behold

   "Your soul, which formerly was dry, now ripens from suffering.  Once upon a time you were sharply intolerant. You were constantly in a rush. You were constantly short of time. And now you have time with interest. You are surfeited with it, with its months and years, behind you and ahead of you - and a beneficial calming fluid pours through your blood vessels - patience. You are ascending.  Formerly you never forgave anyone. You judged people without mercy. And you praised people with equal lack of moderation. And now an understanding mildness has become the basis of your uncategorized judgments. You have come to realize your own weakness - and you can therefore understand the weakness of others. And be astonished at another's strength."                 - Alexander Solzhenitsyn