This is a story my mom had told me last night.
About 40 years ago, two friends came over to America — and much like most of the people who migrated to the land of the free — they were searching for a new, better life. Both were still young, no younger than 20 and no older than 25. They had plenty of energy and they were both desperate to make a living for themselves. The first man — due to his desperation for money and his eagerness to start anew — signed himself up as a worker in a nearby factory where he worked night and day; slowly building up a fortune that would guarantee him a modest looking house and some extra spending money. The second man, instead of following his friend’s lead, decided to use the little money that he had and commence studying with a trustworthy mentor.
Five years later — the first man was moderately happy. He had a wife, a new born child, and a home in which he could return to every night after work. And yet, while he’s living his new life, the second man was still reading books and writing essays; living in a shabby apartment, having a small part-time job (which pays close to nothing), and surviving with only the source of water and ramen. By chance one day, when the first man was walking home from work, he spotted his old friend and asked him for some spare time. Of course the second man agreed, it’s been over 5 years since they saw last each other. They chatted for a while — share stories — and when they part ways, the first man couldn’t help but feel bad for his old friend. “He should have just worked at the factory,” he thought, shaking his head at the image of his unfortunate companion.
Time passed, and another 2 years later — the first man wondered what his old friend was up to now. Walking home from work, just like 2 years earlier, he saw a similar silhouette hanging around the corner of his home. Curious, the man came up behind the figure and was surprised to see that the man in the fancy suit was indeed his unfortunate friend. The only difference now is that instead of living in his shabby apartment, he now could afford to own a mansion. Instead of surviving on water and ramen, he could now throw the whole town a feast. 
“What happened to you?” The first man asked his friend, his shock still evident.
“I never gave up, that’s what happened. I knew that I could have a life like yours if I really wanted to. But inside, I knew I could achieve even more. So I studied, night and day, not giving up even though it took me almost 7 years to become who I am today. Now I could have anything I want, all because I was willing to suffer for those 7 long years.”