Words That Serve As An Inspiration

Day # 2: Quotation Inspiration. Find a quote that inspires you (either positively or negatively) and free write about it

Words can inspire you, words can motivate you, words can make you think. On my computer, I have "stickies" which are full or quotes that inspire me, push me, and are words that I live by. When asked to write about a quote that inspires me, I knew I was going to use one of the quotes that inspires me each and every day. The trouble was deciding which one to write about.

"Energy and persistence conquers all" - Benjamin Franklin 

I first found this quote when I went to the tree house at a local park for a class. Sometimes there are times that words speak to me in the moment. Has that ever happened to you? I went to the tree house on a beautiful fall day, and honestly went there thinking that I was going to go "see what I had to see", and then quickly get back to school to get things done. However, when I saw this quote a chill came over my body. All the stress I had been experiencing went away, and I found myself at peace. As I looked out at the waterfall, I couldn't help but think about how much that quote could be applied to my life. 

I have overcome a lot of obstacles in my life, and have had many advocates in my life. Those advocates taught me valuable lessons, and showed me how to eventually become my own advocate. They helped me to overcome the barriers I faced, and taught me that "I can't" would never be an option for me. All these early life lessons showed me how to advocate for myself, and served me well when I was searching for answers as to why I was so sick during my high school years. 

While I had the support of my parents, who accessed the best possible medical care for me, if it wasn't for my persistence, I may of very well have never gotten to the place I am at today. There came a point where I knew that the food I was eating made me sick. Some thought I was crazy, but I knew deep down that this was the reason for my pain. After searching for 5 years and visiting the Celiac Center at Columbia University a diagnosis was finally given. 

Even after my diagnosis of gluten-sensitivity, I continued to fight, to advocate for myself; putting in so much energy to learn everything I could about this lifestyle. 

My journey taught me that I know my body best. This "gut" instinct served me well. Six months after my diagnosis things took a turn for the worse again. I knew something was wrong, but doctors couldn't figure it out. However, with a lot of persistence, we figured it out. I refused to believe that I was going to be sick again after feeling so good. It took a lot of energy, but once again I overcame this hurdle.

Now I am at the point where I am seeing myself as an advocate. I am working to remove the barriers  that are in front of me, so that I have as much as a normal experience as anyone else. Of course at times this can get tiresome, but I know who I can lean on for support. I continue work through each obstacle I face, and keep fighting, because this is what will help me overcome the adversity that is in front of me.  No matter how tough things may be I refuse to give up. Because...

Energy and Persistence conquers all - Benjamin Franklin