(Picture credits go to http://everythingtori.com/go/galleries/)
I've written before about one of my favorite musicians, Tori Amos, who happens to have endometriosis. I decided to quote her here today because the way I interpret her lyrics (see below) is essentially that everything can be falling apart around you, you can be anxious and upset about it all, but in the end... you CAN get through it with your inner strength.
You CAN get through amazingly hard times and adversity simply by relying on yourself. That, to me, is a very simply worded yet very powerful statement.
"Well I found the secret to life... I found the secret to life... I'm okay when everything is not okay... I said I found the secret to life... Found the secret to life... I'm okay when everything is not okay... Is not okay..."
-- Tori Amos (musician, singer, songwriter, pianist)
No matter what adversity you experience, if you look for the silver lining, the positive, and the purpose in everything... you can get through more than you probably think you can.
As simple as Tori's words are, they are loaded for me because the notion that one can "be OK when everything is not OK", to me, means that one can learn, grow, thrive, be productive, and move on even when difficult circumstances make things seem overwhelming.
(Picture credits go to http://everythingtori.com/go/galleries/)
No matter how challenging or overwhelming things get, I think it's important to be grateful for what we do have and to simply appreciate the resources available to us, the information we have access to, and the loved ones who support us. In the end, though, we can always rely on ourselves and our inner strength to get through the rough patches and come out the other end OK.
Besides, this post gives me an excuse to post a picture of when I met Tori Amos backstage... Yes, that's me with Tori! In my hands are my autographed picture of Tori and my friend's camera before we switched places so that I could get a picture of her with Tori. :)
(Picture credits for this shot go to my friend who attended the concert with me!)
Tori Amos is an amazing, strong woman. Her strength gives me strength when facing the challenges of my illnesses.
For a sample of Tori's music, listen to "Almost Rosey" (on the playlist.com music player in this blog's sidebar).
As I've previously written things that reference Tori Amos, here are some related links:
Sunday, June 15, 2008 What is My Connection to Tori Amos??
Wednesday, September 3, 2008 Endometriosis Blog: "Almost Rosey" -- The Healing & Supportive Power Of Music And Other Relaxation Techniques (Video Clip Included)
Wednesday, September 17, 2008 Endo Blog: How Much Can Quotes & Artwork Heal, Comfort, And Enlighten Us??
This article was posted by Jeanne via "Jeanne's Endo Blog" at www.endendoat.blogspot.com.
13 comments:
We can control how we react or sometimes if we react poorly, we can fix it. Although it is impossible to be positive all of the time, it isn't impossible to stop being negative. Thanks for the inspiration blog post.
Kelly,
Thank you!
Jeanne :)
the doughnuts were a hit. i wish i could get them better presents, but sometimes presents that have a lot of thought put into them are better than the most expensive gift you can get!
katery,
You're right. It's the thought that counts and it sounds like you got a special treat that your parents appreciated.
Jeanne
P.S. For those who are wondering what doughnuts katery is referring to, see her "sleepy" post on the "infertile myrtle" blog at: http://katery.wordpress.com/
Hi Jeanne,
Thanks for your comment last night -- and thanks for this post. You're right on. I'll be sure to download some Tori tunes for my iPod...
Pamela Jeanne,
Thank you!
Tori always cheers me up. :)
Jeanne
Dear Jeanne
Your blog has given me goose bumps! Thanks for the inspiration.
Foxy
Foxy,
I like to post something fun once in awhile to lighten things up. I'm glad you like it. :)
Thank you!
Jeanne
Hi, Your blog is a new favorite place for me. I found you via The Canary Report, where I hang out a lot. It is really wonderful to find and meet you ... Your blog is inspiring, offers me another place to be fragrance-free and safe while I live with a life that is not okay, and yet okay none the less. I love the musical solutions you included, just love them. I'll be back, Mokihana
Mokihana,
Welcome! Susie Collins of The Canary Report found my blog and I'm so glad she did!
I looked at her blog after she posted a comment on mine and immediately added it to my blogroll. It's fantastic!!
I'm so glad you found my blog. (I can thank Susie for that)!
I'm happy that you consider my blog a new favorite! I only hope that my blog can continue to be a favorite in the future. :) I'm very happy we have now "met" too!!
I really appreciate your kind words about my blog! Isn't it nice to have our "fragrance-free" time at home as a respite between trips out into the "real world" of uncontrolled fragrances??
This is that time of year for all of those fragrance companies pushing their wares. So from now through the holidays is especially tough for those of us who are so sensitive to fragrances. Malls are downright dangerous now for me.... fragrance wise.
Then, of course... the people who received perfume/cologne as holiday gifts will, of course, want to wear them after the holidays. So we are into that really interesting time of year fragrance-wise!
I'm glad Tori's words resonated with you. Tori Amos is a HUGE part of how I ground myself because her music inspires me, relaxes me, and even empowers me. To have met her in person was surreal, to say the least. :)
I'm so happy you enjoy the music. I have found music and arts such a powerful tool for relaxation.
Relaxation is so important for reducing blood pressure, minimizing muscle tension, and reducing stress hormones... not to mention helping manage pain!
Everyone has their favorites when it comes to music. I can't say I know anyone who doesn't like music in general. Obviously there are many types of music and choices are not one-size-fits-all.
I am happy, though, that you enjoy the music featured on my blog. I have included music from various artists (not just my #1 favorite, Tori) because I figure if they comfort me they may comfort some of my readers too! :)
I'm so glad you have enjoyed the post and the music. I'm glad you'll be back. I look forward to hearing from you again soon!
Jeanne
Mokihana,
I tried emailing you but couldn't get it to work.
Do you have a blog? I looked at your interesting profile. :)
Hopefully you'll see this.
My email is: endendo@frontiernet.net
Jeanne
AH! I love LOVE LOVE Tori Amos. She is not only incredibly talented, but she is always poised and has no problem talking about things that are on her mind (and thank goodness that isn't what shoes she owns)!
Mimi,
I know. Isn't she amazing?? If you haven't already, check out the live version of Almost Rosey in my music player in my blog's sidebar. It's like a little slice of heaven!
Tori definitely has no trouble speaking her mind. :) She doesn't mince words.
I think that is part of what's so refreshing about her. She doesn't listen to "handlers" or take orders from record companies. (If you read her autobiography - written with Ann Powers - you'll hear of what she went through in the past when the "music industry" tried to make her fit into their little box. See my previous posts for info about her book).
Anyway, she is just so authentic, honest, intelligent, and creative. Her fans make "deadheads" look mild.
There are people who just go to concert after concert after concert because they can't get enough. (She was once voted Rolling Stone's #5 Live Performer of all time. I've seen her 4 times and, personally, I would put her in the #1 slot and I have been to my share of all sorts of concerts over the years).
Anyway, to meet her in person was surreal. Her music has helped so many.
Her music isn't just about enteratinment. It's about healing, feeling, loss, emotion, helping people, peace, etc.
When I met her, she was just as down-to-earth as I knew she would be... but the benefit of meeting her in person was to feel that positive energy she exudes. She is one special lady.
On top of all that, she has a wicked sense of humor. Her talent is boundless.
She definitely doesn't shy away from controversy! Unlike many other public figures nowadays, though, she doesn't start controversy for the sake of controversy (or to boost record sales). Heck, she doesn't even CARE about record sales. She cares about THE MUSIC.
She gets people thinking and talking, she speaks her mind about issues that matter to her without telling others how to think, and she is just brutally honest in a way that many people are simply not used to.
She helps those in need not to get good PR but simply because it's the right thing to do.
She has lived. She knows pain and yet she is STRONG. She has lived through multiple miscarriages. She has suffered other great personal losses. She is real.
She has been smart enough to bypass the trouble so many celebrities get sucked into. She has abundant common sense.
To me, she is inspirational because she uses her talents wisely. She gives pleasure to many with her music, yes, but it's more than that.
She is doing what she's meant to do, following her purpose, and utilizing her extraordinary gifts.
I think part of why she inspires so many people is that she follows her heart regardless of if society necessarily "approves" of everything she does.
By the way... can you tell I'm a fan?? :)
Jeanne
P.S. Tori is smart as a whip and could probably hold her own in a conversation with just about anyone. While she isn't vain or self-centered like so many celebrities, from what I understand she does enjoy her Christian Louboutin shoes. :) I honestly never even heard of that brand of shoes (with my illnesses, sneakers and Crocs are mostly about it for me!)... until I read what Tori used her Louboutin shoe for during a concert once. (Tori does not appreciate when people disrupt her shows). Not only is it distracting to her but she knows people pay good money to see her and that they don't need distractions and noise ruining the show for them. Let's just say that her shoe went sailing through the air when her show was disrupted... but she stopped the concert just long enough to make it clear that she expected her shoe back! She's a feisty one alright!! :)
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