"Every saint has a past, and every sinner has a future."

I have seen and heard this Warren Buffet quote more times than I can count in the last couple weeks.
I've never really thought about the actual meaning of this quote until recently. Everyone has events and experiences that make them who they are. Everyone goes through difficult times and dark times, some times they wish they could forget. If you haven't gone through that time yet, you probably will at some point. If you're "perfect" and haven't done anything bad or something you regret, you most likely will at some point in the future. It's human nature.
The dark times in life force you to grow and change your perspective and outlook on life. You may not change who you are, but sometimes, a little change is good. You gain more of an understanding on different subject matters and possibly a greater respect for what is different than your social norm.
If you're going through a rough time, just remember that there is a reason for it. There is always a reason. Sometimes, it is not always obvious, but you'll find it eventually. Every rough time makes you a little bit stronger (or a lot bit stronger). 

Now to the second part of the quote, "every sinner has a future". We all screw up at some point. Life is never always going to be easy. The thing is, we learn from our mistakes. We move on. We get past them. You can't judge a person by their past or believe they can never better themselves. It is possible to change for the better. Sometimes, people slip up and go back to their old ways, but the important thing is encourage them to keep trying to better themselves. If no one is there to support them, it's going to be a hell of a lot harder to improve. 

This quote is beginning to mean a lot more to me and is a good one to look back on. We have our flaws, we make our mistakes, but we change and grow from them. 

My challenge to you: Acknowledge your past, prepare for the future, but embrace the present moment. Send out encouragement to those around you struggling, and if you're struggling, reach out to someone to help you. 

Also, don't forget what the holidays are all about. Be thankful for the ones in your life who have stuck by you through the worst times, the hard times, and the happy times. Spend some time with your loved ones, and embrace every day. 


peace.love.happiness.