You’re Going to Make it After All

I recently watched a documentary about a woman who married at 18, gave birth to a baby boy at 19, divorced at 25, and lost her only child when she was 43. During her second marriage, she also suffered a miscarriage. In that ordeal, she was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. Added to all this, her 21-year-old sister died from a drug overdose.

Despite these tests, she became known as the woman “who can turn the world on with a smile”—Mary Tyler Moore. 

During the abovementioned years, Mary starred in two of history’s most iconic situation comedies. One was The Dick Van Dyke Show; the other was The Mary Tyler Moore Show. She won six best actress Emmys—two for The Dick Van Dyke Show and four for The Mary Tyler Moore Show.

How ironic! This beautiful, talented, and winsome actress brought joy and inspiration to many (especially women.) Yet she did so while enduring significant trials and tribulations.

Reflecting on her life, I couldn’t help but wonder about the correlation between personal suffering and professional success. Do you think it’s a reliable rule of thumb that achievements and victories are directly proportional to the suffering one endures and overcomes?

I have my own thoughts on this matter. Personal suffering can sometimes fuel professional success.*

But what do you think?

I welcome your response.

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