The wisdom to know the difference

I was raised to believe that, in order to achieve what I wanted in life, I had to struggle. Struggling equated with worthiness. What I have learned since my childhood is that I have never been unworthy and that struggle is an option, not a requirement, in reaching my goals. It doesn't mean I don't have to work towards those goals. If my goal is to earn a college degree, I will need to read the materials, study for exams, and write papers. If I seek a promotion where I work, I will need to show those in decision-making positions that I am a viable candidate through the quality of my work. What I will not need to do is to manipulate and control the situation to obtain what I want. I do what is necessary and let go of the outcome. Probably the best thing that ever happened to me was to receive a D in a foundational chemistry class in my Freshman year of college. That grade caused me to reconsider my major and transfer to one that I am still applying today. It didn't mean that completing my degree was easy. I had to complete the requirements which had a heavy science emphasis, but it felt more in alignment with what I would be doing in my life. Which of your past struggles have led you to a positive outcome?