Ice Mom has a post today on the heart-wrenching but important topic of a figure skater who has faced humiliation and is wondering how to have the strength to return to the rink. The post is called “Ask the Ice Moms: Coming Back to the Rink after Humiliation.”
The topic really made me think. Ironically, it’s often the difficult, even tragic, events of our lives that make us stronger. There’s good reason we still hear the quote by German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche from the 1888 Twilight of the Idols:
What does not destroy me, makes me stronger.
Faith and the support of family and friends help us get through hard times more easily. And as adults, we can often look back on our lives and see the ways in which everything happened for a reason, the ways in which the most difficult of times led to the best of times.
Even popular music can help us get through hard times. I think we’re all survivors in some way, and singing along to some great survivor songs can help. Although the circumstances for the song might be quite different from our life circumstances, there’s inspiration and encouragement in Christina Aguilera’s “Fighter.”
I also like “Survivor” by Destiny’s Child:
For the guys, here’s some inspiration from Rocky and “Eye of the Tiger” by Survivor:
And my favorite popular (OK, 1978 sort of popular) is “I Will Survive” by Gloria Gaynor.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DuRgQlfpD0U&feature=results_main&playnext=1&list=PL6A66678AE55327C6Do you have a favorite popular quote or song that gives you inspiration to survive and become stronger?
Photo Credit: Survivor by Saad Alafaliq.
Just came over from Blog Frog! You have a great site and I can’t wait to read more from you 🙂
Thanks so much for your kind comment, Stacy! I appreciate you following me, and I’ll look forward to getting to know you!
Deb Chitwood recently posted..Being a Survivor
I love your outlook! Thanks for an inspirational blog.
Jo
(following you back from BlogFrog)
jo frances recently posted..Tall tales
I really appreciate your kind comment, Jo – and thanks for following me! I hope you’re having a great weekend!
Deb Chitwood recently posted..Being a Survivor
Thank you very much for the post. You’re always relentlessly positive and inspirational. That’s also one of the reasons I’m so glad you’re on my advisory board, too.
My submission is Christina Aguilera’s “Beautiful.”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OvLLG99Q9Gc
Ice Mom recently posted..Does Your Figure Skating Club Do Anything Special for Advancing Skaters
Thanks so much for your very kind comment, Ice Mom! I blame my parents for my relentless positivity – LOL! I’m extremely lucky to have two of the most positive parents imaginable. And thanks for your awesome submission and link – I love “Beautiful” and it’s PERFECT for the topic!
Deb Chitwood recently posted..Being a Survivor
So true… our difficult times can lead to our best times and make us better. Thanks for this thought, Deb! (and thanks for linking it up) 🙂
Btw, I LOVE “I Will Survive”… it’s my get-excited-and-sing-way-to-loud song! 😉
Thanks, Michelle! It’s nice to look back on life so far and see just how true that is. I love your Thought-Provoking Thursdays!
Deb Chitwood recently posted..“Character is the Real Foundation” Word-Art Freebie
I ran two marathons to “Eye of the Tiger.” It got me through. I’m following from 40 and over. Nice to meet you.
Thanks for your comment, Jen! It’s awesome that you ran two marathons – and how cool to know you ran to “Eye of the Tiger”! Thanks for following me. It’s great to meet you!
Deb Chitwood recently posted..It’s Character Counts! Week October 17-23
I Hope You Dance by Lee Ann Womack is my favorite inspiration song. Its perfect for girls/women that are going thru life’s difficulties. I had on my blog a few times and never tire of it. Good luck!
Anne-Marie
Thanks, Anne-Marie! Great suggestion – I love that song! For anyone who’d like the lyrics, here’s a link to a YouTube video of “I Hope You Dance” by Lee Ann Womach: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2SfmcNg8js
Deb Chitwood recently posted..It’s Character Counts! Week October 17-23
Great post. I have been through a lot of good and bad times in life, and for me my faith has gotten me through so much. It doesn’t take away the tough times, but God gives me clarity through it all. One of the many songs that inspires me is “Bring the Rain” by MercyMe Here is one of my favorite parts:
Bring me joy, bring me peace
Bring the chance to be free
Bring me anything that brings You glory
And I know there’ll be days
When this life brings me pain
But if that’s what it takes to praise You
Jesus, bring the rain
The song literally brings tears to my eyes.
I’m glad I got the chance to find you through Over 40 follow Friday.
Hope you drop by too.
http://enroutetolife.blogspot.com/
Kelly B recently posted..Follow Friday 40 and Over
Thanks SO much for your comment and song suggestion/lyrics, Kelly! I think that’s a wonderful song. Here’s the link to a lovely, very moving YouTube video I found: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m17af0XmPFo
I’m so glad you found me, too! I love your blog and am happy to get to know you! Have a great weekend!
Deb Chitwood recently posted..It’s Character Counts! Week October 17-23
You are so right how songs can help up survive. It is those times in our lives that make us who we are. I love how you are always positive, it makes me feel the same once I have read a post. Keep up the good work. Following you from FF.
Tami recently posted..Mahi Mahi Fish Taco
Thanks so much for your kind words, Tami! And thanks for following me!
Deb Chitwood recently posted..It’s Character Counts! Week October 17-23