I don't believe in the school of hard knocks, although I've had

Host: The living room was quiet, with the gentle sound of rain tapping against the window outside. Inside, the atmosphere was calm, but there was an underlying sense of reflection, as if a deeper conversation was just about to unfold. Jack sat on the couch, his eyes tracing the patterns of light and shadow, while Jeeny sat across from him, her tea cooling in her hands, waiting for the right moment to speak.

Jeeny: (breaking the silence, her voice thoughtful) “You know, Lana Del Rey once said, ‘I don't believe in the school of hard knocks, although I've had them. All that stuff about whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger is so not true. Do you know what makes you stronger? When people treat you and your art with dignity.’”

(She looked at Jack, her tone calm but probing.) “What do you think she meant by that? About strength coming from dignity rather than hardship?”

Jack: (pausing, his voice reflective as he considered the words) “I think she’s saying that true strength doesn’t come from surviving suffering or hardship, like the common saying goes. It’s not about enduring pain just for the sake of endurance. Strength comes from being respected, from being treated with dignity — not just as an individual, but for the work you create, the art you bring into the world. It’s about having people value you and your contributions.”

Jeeny: (nodding slowly, her voice steady but insightful) “Exactly. The idea that ‘what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger’ romanticizes suffering, as if enduring hardship is the ultimate test of strength. But Lana’s pointing out that respect and recognition for who you are and what you do is what actually builds you up. When people acknowledge your worth and treat you with honor, it fosters growth and confidence, not just the scars of battle.”

Jack: (smiling faintly, his tone growing lighter now) “It’s refreshing, isn’t it? To hear that strength comes from dignity rather than just from surviving hardship. In a way, it challenges the idea that strength must come from pain or struggle. It’s not about suffering your way through life, it’s about being uplifted by the people around you, by the respect they show you and your work.”

Jeeny: (gently, her voice full of empathy) “Yes, and I think it’s even more important when it comes to creativity. Artists and creators often face so much criticism, judgment, and sometimes even exploitation. When their work is treated with dignity — when it’s appreciated for its value and authenticity — that’s when they can truly thrive. It’s about being seen for who you are, not just what you produce.”

Jack: (nodding slowly, his voice thoughtful now) “It’s about respect, not just for what someone does, but for who they are. It’s about seeing them fully, recognizing their humanity and their talent. When you’re treated with dignity, you’re given the space to create and grow. That’s where real strength comes from.”

Jeeny: (smiling warmly, her voice calm and assured) “Exactly. Dignity doesn’t just build strength in the moment — it builds confidence for the future. When you know you’re respected, you’re more likely to take risks, to be vulnerable, and to continue to grow. True strength comes from that foundation of being valued.”

Host: The room seemed quieter now, the weight of Del Rey’s words lingering in the air like a gentle truth. Strength wasn’t about enduring pain or hardship, but about being treated with dignity and respect. It was in the recognition of our worth, of our work, that we found the courage and the confidence to keep moving forward.

Jack: (softly, with a sense of clarity) “I think I get it now. It’s not the struggles we face that make us stronger, but how we’re treated through them. It’s the respect and dignity we receive — that’s what helps us grow.”

Jeeny: (nodding, her voice full of quiet understanding) “Yes. When we’re treated with dignity, we become empowered to continue creating, to continue living with purpose. That’s the kind of strength that lasts.”

Host: The night outside had deepened, but inside, there was a sense of peace in the understanding that real strength came not from enduring hardship alone, but from the dignity with which we were treated and the respect given to our work. Jack and Jeeny shared a quiet moment, knowing that true empowerment came from being seen and valued for who we are — and it was in that recognition that we found our greatest strength.