Merriam-Webster defines character as:

character - one of the attributes or features that distinguish an individual

What creates the attributes or features that distinguish you from other people?  The answer is: Your experiences in life and what you learn and how you react to them are what distinguishes you from others.  There are no human cardboard cutouts.  No one will ever be able to completely understand you because you are fundamentally different than everyone.  You are an individual.

Be satisfied when things work out but be intrigued when they don't.  Your life is a building project.  Hardship has the substance needed to form the strongest building materials with which to construct your edifice.  Unless you want your building to fail every time the wind blows, you must harvest that substance.  You must welcome hardship as a blessing that will allow you to build your life upon rock.  Hardship should spark your curiosity to grow.

Look around you.  Think about the people you have met.  Who are the most interesting among them?  The people with the most character.  These are the people who have been through tough times and came out stronger.  These are the people that don't fear.  These are the people confident that life will go on despite setbacks.  These are the people that consume hardship for bread.  You too can choose hardship as fuel to propel you forward.

Without hardship, easy times would be ill-defined.  Without sadness, happiness would be bland.  Without loss, having would be trivial.  Without death, life would not be precious.  This is the concept of yin and yang.  Balance brings meaning.  Without yin, yang means little.  Without yang, yin means little.  No one escapes hardship.  Embrace it.

People tend to project to the World a highlight reel of their lives.  Struggles often remain hidden from view.  However, they exist.  Moreover, the most fulfilled people you will meet have likely faced the most struggles.  Don't be ashamed of your hard times.  Be thankful for them.  Let what destroys weaker minded individuals build you into an indestructible force with unstoppable momentum.  Don't mistake others' highlight reels for absolute reality.

You're here for a reason.  Things have happened the way that they should.  The obstacles you have faced and learned from have made you stronger.  You have survived every thing you have experienced so far.  None of it has killed you.  Each day breathing the air is a blessed experience that affords you the opportunity to forge onward, continuing your unique journey.  Heed these words.  Embrace hardship. Build character.