flourish

"important events--whether serious, happy or unfortunate--do not change a person's soul, they merely bring it into relief, just as a strong gust of wind reveals the true shape of a tree when it blows off all its leaves.  such events highlight what is hidden in the shadows; they nudge the spirit towards a place where it can flourish."--irene nemirovsky

"such happy individuals lead vigorous lives; are open to a variety of experiences, keep on learning until the day they die, and have strong ties and commitments to other people and to the environment in which they live.  they enjoy whatever they do (even if tedius or difficult); they are hardly ever bored, and can take in stride whatever comes their way."--mihaly csikszentmihalyi