of course, we also know that the obstacle-free life is essentially fiction, and how smooth one's life is, is a matter of perspective. everyone prefers to think they overcame crazy difficulties in their own lives - despite my amazingly smooth life, i will be able to bring out any number of seemingly gigantic road blocks that would be mere pebbles for others.
but perhaps, what we should be wishing our close ones is to have a somewhat difficult life - the right amount of difficulty to grow as a person, but not so difficult enough they can't get back up. (yes, it's probably too much to wish for). but difficulties are the only tried and true instigator of personal growth. smooth sailing certainly does afford us time for introspection, although we rarely take it (unless we've reached some pinnacle of our careers and now realize there is something more to life than the rat race).
would i wish myself to have a difficult life? well, i secretly wish i could achieve growth without the tough medicine. double standards? yes, probably. can i have some kind of light/medium-strength medicine? maybe i should start looking for some... so when the strong kind gets splattered on me i'll stay reasonably sane.
