How is the World Treating You?

"How is the world treating you?
I've not seen you for so long.
I owe you a debt of gratitude
For all those times you helped me along."

"How is everything going for you?"
I asked this good friend of mine.
" I have to tell you a lot is new,"
He said, "And I'm not doing fine."

"I lost my job just days ago.
My wife is dearly ill.
Our dog was killed by an auto.
This week's been a bitter pill!"

"Thank you for reminding me of good times.
And that hard times come to all.
Thank you for being a friend of mine.
If you hear of a job, won't you call?"

"Recently I met an old friend I had not seen for some time. He greeted me with the salutation, “How is the world treating you?” I don’t recall the specifics of my reply, but his provocative question caused me to reflect on my many blessings and my gratitude for life itself and the privilege and opportunity to serve.
At times the response to this same question brings an unanticipated answer. Some years ago I attended a stake conference in Texas. I was met at the airport by the stake president, and while we were driving to the stake center, I said, “President, how is everything going for you?”
He responded, “I wish you had asked me that question a week earlier, for this week has been rather eventful. On Friday I was terminated from my employment, this morning my wife came down with bronchitis, and this afternoon the family dog was struck and killed by a passing car. Other than these things, I guess everything is all right.”
Life is full of difficulties, some minor and others of a more serious nature. There seems to be an unending supply of challenges for one and all. Our problem is that we often expect instantaneous solutions to such challenges, forgetting that frequently the heavenly virtue of patience is required."

Patience—A Heavenly Virtue - general-conference

https://www.lds.org/general.../1995/10/patience-a-heavenly-virtue?...

Thomas S. Monson ... Life is full of difficulties, some minor and others of a more serious nature. ... Who can count the vast throngs of the lonely, the aged, the helpless—those who feel abandoned by the caravan of life as it moves relentlessly ...