I’m starting with a question, so you may need some liquid fuel first? ….Have you ever wondered with all the situations you encounter over the day big & small whether you behave like a victim or a Victor? I was feeling every bit the Victor sat here talking to you this morning, up until I dunked my chocolate digestive and it plopped into my coffee & instantly became the victim of a soggy biscuit…….
But seriously, victims often take everything personally & negatively & are able to turn absolutely any situation into a drama; Whereas Victors are able to turn even the most awful situation into something positive. Victims tend to only attract other victims, Victors will attract everyone.
Simply by being aware of how you react to things & adopting a different mind-set, anything is possible.
This week I had the privilege of interviewing someone Trail blazing the way in M.E awareness despite battling her own illness. Inspired by the great work of Lets Do It For ME http://ldifme.org/ & Charity Invest In ME http://www.investinme.org/ but frustrated by the lack of public and celebrity support Jo Smith decided to use the Chilli ME Challenge https://chillimechallenge.wordpress.com/ founded by sufferers Nicola Lavin, Brenda Hankins, Catherine Schofield, & Lindsey Michelle to get out there and meet people face to face. Regarding her latest celeb meets with Ruby Wax & Jenny Éclair I asked if she had to hijack them or beat them into submission? She laughed “No, and do you know what? It’s been quite simple, I’ve just approached them and asked if they would be willing to do the Chilli ME Challenge or help out and so far they’ve all been really gracious
I have lots of other celebrities I’d like to approach but my day is predominately controlled by illness so it just depends on the day whether I can make it or not, but I’m so thankful for the help of friends Rob Foreman, Glen Turner & Davina Honour as none of this would be possible without them, so far we’ve filmed about 100 Chili ME Challenges. I’ve missed quite a few opportunities due to poor health which is always frustrating but I’m just so pleased that awareness has grown to such an extent I no longer have to explain to people what M.E’s about, those I’ve met so far have been aware that it’s a serious chronic illness & not psychological or just about being tired as previously peddled by the media”
& how have the general public reacted to Jo’s request? “Overall wonderfully kind & supportive, I’ve met a number of people who it turned out had friends or family members suffering with M.E who were keen to share their own stories and donate to the cause. We’ve even had homeless people coming up insisting on donating what they had which was incredibly humbling. We’ve raised about £700 so far but I’d like to get to £1000 and it’s meeting some of these incredible people that pushes me and my friends to keep going”. & after meeting Jo I’m in no doubt this selfless & determined lady will indeed keep going.
What Ruby Wax & Jenny Éclair and all the others getting involved might not realise is their small act of kindness is actually a massive contribution in helping to continue turning the tide of ignorance. You have to remember it was only 20yrs ago that many M.E sufferers were being tipped out of wheelchairs into swimming pools to see if they struggled to save themselves from drowning, theory being if they had enough energy to save themselves they weren’t physically ill.
It was only 10 yrs ago many M.E sufferers were being turned away from A&E departments and denied medical treatment, & it was only 10yrs ago, many M.E sufferers were being dragged from their homes and sectioned against their will. Thank heavens we’re slowly moving away from those draconian days & the world is becoming educated to the fact that M.E is a seriously physical chronic & complex condition & thanks to celebrities such as Ruby Wax & Jenny Éclair sparing a few minutes of their time to help that change, the message finally seems to be getting out there. From an M.E community, to all those helping to turn the tide, Thank-you, god bless you we salute you. We will be victorious.
This Gizmo/Gadget/Gift of the week is going to make a great Christmas extra for all ages and have everyone in the room from Nan to young nephew laughing for sure. You certainly can’t be a victim of your own insecurity with a pair of these. Expanding on the plain old selfie French designer Sascha Nordmeyer has come up with the “Hyperlip” First featured in her project “Communication Prosthesis.” Nordmeyer reportedly said the lips are intended to help insecure people communicate more easily by forcing them to make a single silly facial expression. Available to Pre Order From Firebox for a mere £9.99 I’m betting this fun gizmo is going to catch on….let’s face it anything has got to be better than the awful trout pout that adorns my Facebook and twitter feed everyday. http://www.firebox.com/product/7043/HyperLip?via=whatsnew
Finally, In local news, Tom cravens events company Papermouth https://www.facebook.com/Papermouth who have hosted heaps of awesome events are having an acoustic stage at The Flag in watford on the 24th October from 2-6pm with class acts not to be missed such as Sophie Ray http://sophieraymusic.com/ DodoBones https://www.facebook.com/DodoBones & plenty more, followed by an evening of what Tom says will be “RIP-ROARING rock as newbie Watford promo group The Mighty Goat get 'LIVE & LOUD' for their first event!” Health permitting I’m heading on down there myself, so get it in your diary & hope to see you there.
Right I’m off to order my HyperLips, so til next week
Stay Blessed, Back Before Elvis x
https://www.facebook.com/RunninOnEmptee1
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