Adversity, Challenges, Frustration And The "Secret To Life" According To Tori Amos...

After yesterday's pretty somber (but important) article about toxins, I decided today is one of those days to lighten things up a bit! Many of us have heard phrases to the effect of, "you can't always control what happens to you but you can control how you choose to react to it".



(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.

Helen Keller's Inspirational Quote - Foundation For A Better Life's Quote Of The Day

I'm taking a few days off from writing blog posts because, frankly, I am totally exhausted... and because I really need to wade through my email so that people don't start thinking I'm ignoring them. (Those of you reading this who I owe email responses to, please know that I'm not ignoring you). I'm listening to my body and slowing down a bit because I'm tired. So I decided to take a moment to post a great quote that I just found in my inbox while sorting my email.

I would greatly appreciate it if you'd take a peek at previous posts here while I slow down temporarily on writing new posts. There are previous posts on many topics including:

interstitial cystitis, endometriosis, infertility, fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome, chronic illness/pain, alternative medicine, etc.

Even though it is displayed in my sidebar (as all Foundation for a Better Life quotes of the day are), I decided to highlight this quote here. Chronic illness can be very challenging, frustrating, and draining. It can also cause incredible financial strain and enormous stress. At times, this stress can be overwhelming.

Helen Keller has so many great quotes. I really like this particular one.

This is today's quote from the The Foundation for a Better Life:

“Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, vision cleared, ambition inspired, and success achieved.”

—Helen Keller (1880-1968); author, lecturer, activist

Thank you for your patience while I listen to my body and take some time to slow down a bit. I think it is really important to listen to one's body. I have experienced the consequences of not doing so in the past. I'm trying to learn from my mistakes and respect my body's signals. So please take a peek at previous posts.

You may find something that interests you!!

Have a wonderful day!

P.S. If you are looking to do some mail order shopping, please consider ordering from Amazon via my blog. Just click on any Amazon ads on this blog. A pop-up window will appear. On the top right corner of this window, if you click on the Amazon symbol, you will be routed directly to the "regular" Amazon ordering site. In this way, you will be ordering Amazon products at the same price you'd pay by accessing their site directly. (Clicking on the Amazon ads may route you directly to the order screen in some cases. Amazon ads are always not consistent with this process. So you may not have any extra clicks at all in a case like that). By ordering Amazon products through my blog with this extra click or two (if any), you will be supporting my efforts to write a blog to help patients and their loved ones cope with numerous chronic illnesses; you'll also help me chip away at my massive medical debt. I appreciate your support. Thank you!

This article was posted by Jeanne via "Jeanne's Endo Blog" at www.endendoat.blogspot.com.

Endometriosis Blog: Quote of the Day

Quote of the day... The importance of communicating and discussing our challenges (and triumphs!) with others is crucially important. Please see the quote below. It sums up the importance of keeping lines of communication open:

"However much we are affected by the things of the world,
however deeply they may stir and stimulate us,
they become human for us only when we can discuss them with our fellows...
We humanize what is going on in the world and in ourselves only by speaking of it,
and in the course of speaking of it we learn to be human."
- Hanna Arendt in "Confiding"

This quote was provided by:
Ed Madara ed@selfhelpgroups.org
Director 973-989-1122 x15
N.J. & American Self-Help Group Clearinghouses
www.selfhelpgroups.org

This article was posted by Jeanne via "Jeanne's Endo Blog" at www.endendoat.blogspot.com.