Not my meaning to be "difficult" :D But I have become a lot less indifferent as I have grown older. After getting a wife, a kid, and something useful to do with my life, everything means a lot more to me than when I was younger - despite the world constantly fucking me. However, when I was younger AND indifferent, the world couldn't fuck me - cause I was exactly that - indifferent. I had nothing going for me, I had nothing other than playing computer games and lift weights (yeah, those were my passions in my early 20s) that I cared for. So nothing could touch me. Now that I'm exposed to more..I have more money and investments - something could go wrong in the markets, I have a family - something could happen to them (or me) etc etc , so I have a lot more to lose. But despite having a lot more to lose now, I'm a lot tougher mentally. I RISK MORE, and live more, yet I tackle more things with ease.
But..I agree to an extent. I was bullied in school and I didn't have a great family life growing up. Those things definitely didn't make me stronger. It made me weaker than those who didn't experience that. But once I decided that what happened in the past should not define who I could become, I grew past most of my peers (in my opinion :) ) I'm not sure if that passion would have been lit if everything was just a stroll in the park for me. Maybe it would be an easier and more carefree life, I don't know. But I don't think an easy and carefree life is a good life. I have also suffered from panic attacks and a lot of anxiety - and by changing my mindset and looking at it as a blessing, a chance to really build my self up from scratch - just being able to reset my self , putting it all behind was really a blessing. I don't think I'd ever make it to this point, living this life if it wasn't for my panic attacks and anxiety. Sorry bout the rant! :D
Indeed, exposure can really make us feel vulnerable but also heal us. I like how you first paragraph completes and answers to the first.