I met up with a friend yesterday that, in spite of the most tumultuous child- and young-adulthood I've ever heard of, ended up as one of the coolest and most together people I know. They have a good sense of who they are, positive outlook and dumpsters-full of worldly experience.

To quote a comic strip (as if you need more triteness) "A mistake is where advice comes from." I'm certainly willing to benefit and learn from someone else's lumps.