I believe that Friedrich Nietzsche had a superb point when he said, "That which does not kill us, makes us stronger." I'm the first person to agree with you that a nemesis really is a teacher in disguise, that conflicts are actually opportunities for proving yourself. Most adversity in fact presents chances for unlocking passion, love, inner strength, and personal freedom. Just don't be the guy who had one kung-fu lesson and then strolled into a barroom full of Hell's Angels to test it out.