The Strength Within the Struggle. The Shift from “Why me?” to “What can I learn?”

Dr.Vijayalakshmi Aluri, Winner of World Bank’s Projects competition, Author, Social worker and Gynecologist, Sri Sri Holistic Multi specialty Hospitals, Hyderabad

Lena had always lived a quiet, ordinary life until one day, everything changed. A sudden illness struck her, followed by the loss of her job and her closest friend moving away. Lena felt her life spiraling; the weight of these losses seemed insurmountable. She questioned her purpose, feeling as if life’s challenges were beyond her ability to bear.

One evening, a friend shared a simple piece of advice: “Sometimes, our greatest growth happens in our darkest hours.” That thought stuck with Lena.

She began journalling, each entry slowly shifting from expressing pain to exploring her resilience. She started with small steps — a daily walk, learning a new skill, even volunteering. Slowly, Lena began to see her challenges differently, not as things that broke her but as lessons that strengthened her.

Over time, Lena transformed. The struggle taught her to prioritize her health, deepen her connections, and find…