Today, as silly as it sounds, I learned how pearls are formed. I mean I always knew that they were formed by mollusks, but I didn't know the "how or why" part.

Usually it's when microscopic bacterium or other foreign material gets inside the shell and irritates the mollusk. This causes the mollusk to secrete soothing substances that cover the intrusion. Successive coats get smoother and smoother until the tiny invader in it's new cloak becomes a pearl.

This makes me think of life. When things come at us in life that irritate us, we need to learn to "coat" them with patience, faith and prayer. When we do this over and over, we have something beautiful to offer the world. Our positive reactions to irritating circumstances make us better people.