"I do Declare!!"

Friedrich Nietzsche wrote "That which does not kill us makes us stronger," in his 1888 book Twilight of the Idols. Interpretation: this was a statement of strength and resilience, suggesting that when we endure the pain, suffering, and difficulties of Life without being destroyed by them, we will become stronger; or said in another way through the Bird, that which we persevere to endure in this Life will make us stronger, lighter, brighter, and more beautiful!! (By stepping forward, opening our wings, embracing the wind, and learning to soar like never before).

Just the other day, a patient of mine in Physical Therapy gave me a new way of saying the same thing, only in a more powerful, kinder, and more up-lifting fashion. After enduring months of painful and debilitating low-back pain, this patient had decided that it was time to do something about it, so she saw her doctor and got signed up for Physical Therapy. The cat litter box had always been one of her arch nemeses, along with lifting, twisting, and turning; but after a couple sessions in PT, where she had learned about the power of using good posture, safe lifting mechanics, and the healing nature of MOVEMENT; she told me the story of her Victory over the prior weekend, and the resulting exclamation that came with it. "I bent over to scoop out the litter box, trying to use what we have been practicing, and when I stood up, I raised the pooper-scooper into the air and proclaimed:

"That which I do Strengthens Me!!"
- Friedrich Donna