I’ve never struggled to find a quote on a Friday morning before. But today, after an hour of searching for one that clings to me, I give up.
Instead, I will simply tell you thank you. Not only for reading what I write, but for being there for me when I need you. And for being such a huge part of my journey and my healing.
Together, we learn, we grow, we endure. Your stories not only bring me tears, but joy. Our struggles (because they are OURS) bring us closer and let us know that we do not fight alone.
The knowledge that there are thousands of women who fight this illness alongside me pushes me forward every day.
The disease has not defined me. It has given me purpose. And has given me Family. And it has done the same to you, dear Warriors.
May you have a wonderful weekend. And if you need to rest, rest. If you need to cry, cry. If you need to shout to the heavens, do so. And laugh when the joy bubbles up.
Good morning and Happy Friday! We made it through another week…and August is almost over! ALREADY?!?
Today’s quote is for all of my readers who are feeling that time is slipping too quickly, especially if they are bound to the bed, the heating pad, the pain pills, the struggles of having to pick and choose what they can accomplish in a moment. The daily battle to be able to just…do. Do anything. Do everything.
Burning that precious energy to take a shower, or to feed your children before school, or to buy groceries. Or to just sip on some tea while curled around a heating pad. Or maybe the day encompasses a hike, yet you have to take a lot of breaks due to pain.
It’s finding the strength to do what you can, when you can, and still finding balance. Not mourning the things you were unable to do yesterday or today…but embracing the things you DID accomplish.
…even if it was something as simple as brushing your hair, kissing your loved ones, or resting. Please…do not beat yourself up if you are unable to “do all the things”…you must respect and honor your limitations. Embrace you for you, just as you are.
“It was a very ordinary day, the day I realised that my becoming is my life and my home and that I don’t have to do anything but trust the process, trust my story and enjoy the journey. It doesn’t really matter who I’ve become by the finish line, the important things are the changes from this morning to when I fall asleep again, and how they happened, and who they happened with. An hour watching the stars, a coffee in the morning with someone beautiful, intelligent conversations at 5am while sharing the last cigarette. Taking trains to nowhere, walking hand in hand through foreign cities with someone you love. Oceans and poetry.
It was all very ordinary until my identity appeared, until my body and mind became one being. The day I saw the flowers and learned how to turn my daily struggles into the most extraordinary moments. Moments worth writing about. For so long I let my life slip through my fingers, like water. I’m holding on to it now, and I’m not letting go.” ― Charlotte Eriksson, Empty Roads & Broken Bottles; in search for The Great Perhaps
Have a beautiful weekend. May it be full of what you need.
Endometriosis & the Bowel – added a Jan. 2018 study of a woman who suffered from left abdominal pain and bloody stool during her periods.
My Two Cents: Sexual Abuse & Endometriosis – added a July 2018 study trying to find a relationship between early childhood abuse (physical and sexual) and a higher risk of developing Endometriosis
(and yes, I’m still stuck on the elephants thing…)
Friday already??? The week flew by for me – mostly because I was under the weather and resting for three days thanks to a stomach bug. Ugh.
So here I am hunting down a quote that speaks to me, flipping through the pages of a large book of quotations my Mum gifted me a few years ago.
And here we have it. The one that stood out to me immediately:
In 1992, Barbara Bush said,
“To us, family means putting your arms around each other and being there.”
My immediate thought when I read this? I melted and thought of all of the people who have come together because of our shared illness. Not just the EndoSisters, but our support systems, too.
Recently, we had a BBQ for our support. Our friends, our family, our loved ones. A way of honoring them. And it was beautiful to sit back, sip on a glass of sangria, and just watch everyone get to know each other, share stories, hug, cry. Strangers…all woven together in this large family.
We may not be blood, but we are absolutely family.
I love you, guys and gals. Have a wonderful weekend. ~Lisa
It’s been almost a month since I’ve posted one of these! Life is returning to normal after my surgery and it’s time to resurrect the Feel Good Fridays posts!
Today’s quote is about embracing a new day. Run with it. Let yesterday go. Forge ahead. Renew.
“Imagine a master painting that’s never finished…when you can only build on previous work, you become limited by what you can paint…If you are in the midst of painting a forest full of tall tress and hanging vines, it is rather difficult to wake up the next day and suddenly turn that paining into the beach and ocean…We have to treat each day like a black canvas on which we can paint. Yesterday might have been painting flowers, but today you can paint cars or horses. A new day represents a chance for renewal.” ― Ian K. Smith, Happy: Simple Steps to Get the Most Out of Life
Since so many of you Readers are EndoSisters, and you are the strongest women I’ve ever met, this one is for you:
“After you have suffered great losses and known much pain, it is not cowardice to wish to live henceforth with a minimum of suffering. And one form of heroism, about which few if any films will be made, is having the courage to live without bitterness when bitterness is justified, having the strength to persevere even when perseverance seems unlikely to be rewarded, having the resolution to find profound meaning in life when it seems the most meaningless” ― Dean Koontz, The City
You are my heroines. We are Mighty. And we are all in this together.
Sorry I’ve been unable to blog lately. I simply haven’t had the time or energy. BUT, it’s Friday. And I’ll always try to make time for Feel Good Fridays! Today’s quote is a doozy and it hit me right in the Feels:
“The storm is out there and every one of us must eventually face the storm. When the storm comes, pray that it will shake you to your roots and break you wide-open. Being broken open by the storm is your only hope. When you are broken open you get to discover for the first time what is inside you. Some people never get to see what is inside them; what beauty, what strength, what truth and love. They were never broken open by the storm. So, don’t run from your pain — run into your pain. Let life’s storm shatter you.” ― Bryant McGill, Simple Reminders: Inspiration for Living Your Best Life
For any of us facing troublesome times, or scary times, or uncertain moments, or trials and tribulations, or even just a moment of sadness…this one is for you. And I. May we hold firm, weather the storm, and pass through it.
Have a wonderful weekend. And I wish you strength and peace. Love, Lisa
Good morning! Can you believe another week has already come and gone? June is OVER! What the heck? I feel like June just started yesterday!
So, it’s Friday. And you know the drill! Today’s quote is all about acknowledging whatever fears or sorrows you may have and giving yourself a great big hug.
It’s Friday! Another week has come and gone. Summer is officially upon us, and the year is half-over!
Today’s quote is due to the overwhelming love and support we share in a community of Warriors. Not just the Fighters, but our support: our friends, family, significant others, and even our pets.
“It was quite a beautiful thing, the way we simply just came to be. With no effort or trying, just slowly finding each other’s hands in the dark. No chains or promises, just a simple sign of hope that things will go on and get better.” ― Charlotte Eriksson, You’re Doing Just Fine
I would not be where I am today without you. And you have my love and respect.
“Whatever you are physically…male or female, strong or weak, ill or healthy–all those things matter less than what your heart contains. If you have the soul of a warrior, you are a warrior. All those other things, they are the glass that contains the lamp, but you are the light inside.” ― Cassandra Clare, Clockwork Angel
I hope you have a wonderful weekend. And if it’s a rough one, remember – you are strong enough to get through this. Love, Lisa.
Bloomin' Uterus 