Wisdom Is the Residue of Pain

In 1884, Theodore Roosevelt faced the darkest day of his life. His wife and mother died within hours of each other, in the same house, on Valentine's Day. Just imagine. The grief was so consuming that he abandoned his life in New York, fleeing to the Badlands of Dakota Territory. In his diary that night, he drew a large X and wrote just seven words: "The light has gone out of my life."

It seemed like he was running away. As if he had given up on life. But actually, this was his path to transformation. He lived as a cattle rancher in near-total isolation, and underwent a profound metamorphosis. The man who emerged from this crucible would not only become president but would be remembered as one of history's most resilient leaders. A man known for his deep compassion and understanding of human suffering.