The saying “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger” isn’t just a mental gym metaphor, but indeed a reminder that there is more to life and that there is gain for every pain if we choose to sharpen our perspective, act, and be patient enough for the outcome.

“The valleys sharpen your perspective, deepen your gratitude, and make your victories sweeter. What makes the mountain beautiful is the fact that there are valleys.”

Sometimes, the smallest moments teach us the biggest lessons. Recently, I had lunch with a colleague at a Vietnamese restaurant. An unexpected mistake during our meal made me think deeply about the experience. The server handed us tea cups but no sauce trays, and my colleague—excited to dive into their meal—mistakenly poured the sauce into a teacup.