This I believe is why many immigrants come to the U.S and outperform U.S citizens. It's because many of them come from "less than" situations and their backs are against a wall.

You just said it all here bro. Hard Times really make people better. When you have all you want, you wouldn't know what it feela like to solve a problem and to think that good things don't last forever , how would you handle the tough time when all you've know is enjoyment.

It's easier to make a transition from hardship to a soft life than from a soft life to hardship.

I am all grown now and really appreciate the way my father treated me. When I was a kid I though he was being plane wicked for always telling me he had no money but in the real sense he wanted me to become a problem solver . Each time I ask him for something , the first thing he tells me is "what about the kids that can't afford it, what will they do? And I will just stand there looking like a lost cow. But it's the truth. Those who can't afford to get what I am asking for improvise , they look for other and better ways of getting it which helps in making them stronger and smarter.

I remember when I was in high school. I never had the time to read during the day because I was always Laden with lots of house chores as I was the second to the last born. I would wash all the dished , sweep the house and do lots of things that I had no time for myself . The only time I had to read my book was between the hours of 11pm to 1am and I did that everyday since I had no other time to read during the day.

At the time I was doing this, I felt I was stressing myself much but funny enough it helped me pass all my exams in flying colours . I always got to top my class. When I got into the university and had all the freedom ,I realised reading became a bit more difficult . There was no more constraint and then procrastination set in. But becauee I had already developed the attitude of reading, I had to discipline myself to read but it wasn't easy.

What I am saying in essence is that, being constrained and not having the time to read brought out the best in me and made me a better person . But when I had all the time in the world to read, I became laze and that's how life is generally . The hardship actually makes you a better person...having all you want might seem like fun but in the long run you will get to pay the price .