Few people set out with goals to hurt others. Yet, as history has repeatedly shown, it happens.

Aside even from the world’s most memorable events of evil, smaller cases of wrongdoing happen day after day, year after year.

Unlike Hitler, who undoubtedly had a moment where he thought, “Hmm, maybe this isn’t such a good idea,” the majority of pain-infliction happen with otherwise good intentions.

I know this, because I’ve been there. Although the pain I caused was less than that of a holocaust or genocide, it was still very real.

Last year, I got very hung up on the idea of “being healthy.” I listened to all of the nutritional advice, attempted all the exercise tips and pushed my body to its limit. Then, I turned around and offered advice to others on how to be similarly “healthy.”

But, somewhere along the way, I passed the boundaries of healthfulness and crossed into dangerous territory.

Instead of getting stronger and fitter, I was getting weaker. Yet, I continued to preach of healthfulness.

Consequently, not only was I hurting myself but I was certainly hurting the self-esteem and confidence of those around me.

Even worse, I was hurting my friends and family. These people were forced to witness to all of this, yet were helpless in taking action.

It was only when I was shocked very harshly back into reality, that I realized just how wrong my perception of health had become.

Since that time, I’ve taken a step back and assessed what’s important in life. From this reflection, I’ve come to recognize that health is and will always be important to me. However, I’ve also recognized that I never should sacrifice the pursuit of healthfulness for the pursuit of happiness.

After all, Thomas Jefferson was a smarter man than I.

Not everyone will face the same issues as me—or so I hope. Unfortunately, I’m sure that everyone will face challenges of some kind.

This isn’t a sentence to a life of pain or an excuse to feel self-pity. Instead, the torment we all experience is an opportunity. Reflect on it, learn from it and grow because of it. Then, pass the lesson on.

If I can help someone because of my experiences, then good. If you can help another person because of your own experiences, then even better.

— McCoy is a junior from Lincoln, Neb., in journalism.