Do you think that hardship has taught you to be more sensitive towards others who may be going through difficult times? I've seen that this is not always the case.

I tried asking someone for help for my friend's struggling family. I thought that this person would be sympathetic having gone through poverty herself. Instead, I found that it made her "too tough" and less sympathetic...and maybe even bitter. She said, "Hey, I had to live without electricity for 3 months. Sometimes you just have to put up with it!" But the case was different. She didn't have kids and my friend had little kids, so paying the electric bill was even more important.

I also met a couple of people who got through tough times because of their supportive partners. When I said that I wish I had someone too (also after seeing how other people were getting through tough times because of their supportive partners), they told me that "no one wants a needy person" and that I just want someone to come into my miserable life and be miserable with me. I still struggle to understand why they rashed out in judgement given their own journeys. Did they forget where they came from now that they are in a better situation?

I only ask because we are own prone to human errors. I'm afraid, what if I forget all about where I came from once I am in a better situation? Or what if I end up imposing unrealistic expectations on others to be strong as I was, in getting through their own hardships?