Here is a story from former President Clinton’s book Giving, which speaks to the power to heal, oneself and others, that one can gain from life’s pain:
"There is the story of MuKhtaran Bibi of Pakistan, who was gang-raped by order of an all-male tribunal in her village in retribution for her 12 year old brother allegedly holding hands with a girl from a higher-caste tribe. She was then forced to walk home naked in front of the villagers. Instead of committing suicide in shame, she pursued her attackers, was awarded compensation, and used the money to establish a primary school for girls and one for boys in her village. She too was illiterate, so she enrolled in her own elementary school to learn to read and write. She has also started her own aid organization and an ambulance service. Such women are worthy of our support."