were the horrible battles clays "worst times?"

"The beauty in ordinary things distract us during our worst times and provide us with hope."

clay had come to appreciate beauty and the quiet after horrible battles he had gone through. clay has also come to a better understanding of the Japanese idea of beauty in simple things.

question: doesn't clay forget all about his horrible times fighting in world war two battles and focus on beauty. doesn't beauty distract him from all the horrible times?