The Piano Tuner

Top 15. Nov 11, 1997 8:50 PM

» Jausten - Greybeard, Your perception is excellent. Yes, I'm Jane Auste

Greybeard,

Your perception is excellent. Yes, I'm Jane Austen in disguize. The truth is that I needed a nickname when I first got on-line for a chat room, and I wanted to use John Steinbeck but a friend told me to pick a female author. So that's the simple story of my name.*g..

Jausten, aka Cynthia

Suite 101 Contributing Editor: Fibromyalgia

-- posted by Jausten

Top 16. Nov 12, 1997 5:13 AM

» Othello - Regardless of the terminology that has been discussed as a resul

Regardless of the terminology that has been discussed as a result of this article, I feel we need to stick to the basis of this article regarding the tools which we use to cope with fibromyalgia, whatever you choose to name them. I don't want to deny the importance of any of these issues to anyone, however I think some aspects of "political correctness" has entered in.

Since every person has some similar and some different tools which works for them, I applaud whichever tools works for each person. I also applaud that each and every one of you has a deep commitment to those people or things that do work for you. It is apparent to me that the people who have posted here have high values, I appreciate that very much. I believe that high values, whatever they may be, do go a long ways toward coping with fibromyalgia.

It has been interesting to everyone's perspective on this article.

-- posted by Othello

Top 17. Nov 12, 1997 9:21 AM

» Dan_Ellsworth - Wanda, that's a beautifully balanced and positive message, accep

Wanda, that's a beautifully balanced and positive message, accepting the best each person has to offer and checking the topic's "compass" to be sure it's on course. It reminds me of the 4-H motto: To make the best better. :-)

Dan Ellsworth, Editor, "Christianity"

-- posted by Dan_Ellsworth

Top 18. Nov 12, 1997 2:26 PM

» MorningStar - Hello Dear Friend! Great article Jausten and also a great discus

Hello Dear Friend! Great article Jausten and also a great discussion going on over here. I had to get through a swamp of alligators over here at my house before I made it over here to your page. I am up to my Fibromyalgia elbows in alligators right now — but I see that you are having a great party without me! (I did remember to bring the cyberspace ice cream — anyone for a bowl?)

I too use different *names* when I speak of and to my "Higher Power!" My favorite name for Him is Father — for it is the one that comforts me the most. I also call Him God in my prayers, but for the most part, the name Father draws me nearer to Him. I love the analogy you gave in your article, when you refer to your Higher Power as "The Piano Tuner!" How very appropriate. God is always "fine-tuning" me every day and I thank my Father every day for His constant attention to my needs, especially when I am "out-of-tune!"

Having this illness named Fibromyalgia along with the other chronic health problems I face, has brought me closer to Him than I was before I had these serious problems. I guess there was a time when I took God for granted, but I do not make that mistake any longer — that is, I certainly try not to. And because of the Fibromyalgia, I have found buried deep inside of me, the creative side of me that must have always been a part of who I am, but I just never realized it until recently. I know from my own experiences, I could not make it one single day without my Father watching over me and guiding me, and always comforting me through the trials I face each day. God is the greatest and best "coping tool" I have.

I have learned over the years through my trials, that there is always a "gift," a very unique gift, custom-made by God's own hands just for me — waiting for me, rewarding me at the end of my custom-made trial(s). I attempt to remember this in the midst of these trials, however, I do not always succeed! ;-) But gently and lovingly, my Father, the great "Piano Tuner," guides me back on the right road with His loving and skillful hands.

Who was it that said — "A rose by any other name would still smell as sweet?" (something like that!) Well, it is my belief that this could also be applied here.

Personally, I do not believe that a person can compromise their Faith by the use of the term "Higher Power." I do not suggest that I know the mind of God in these matters — but I DO KNOW that God is always loving and compassionate, and understands us in every way. I believe that we each have our own unique journey or "Way" to the "Truth" (other names for God). And I know that God always has open arms waiting to comfort us all.

Now, having said all that — Hey Jausten and Greybeard! Do you have any suggestions for a nickname for me? (LOL!!!) I think that I need one, don't you? My "real" name is so long that a nickname would be nice! Hey Greybeard! I was wondering where you went off to!!! I have *missed* you dear friend!

And Jausten — thank you again for a truly great article. I always enjoy what you have to say to us! See you later dear friend and fellow Sister!

Thank you for listening!

Blessings!

Desra Dawn Morning Star — Nutrition Editor.

-- posted by MorningStar

Top 19. Nov 12, 1997 3:48 PM

» Dan_Ellsworth - Hello, DeeDee, Desra, Star, "Life Force", Cherokee, Dawn, D2 (De

Hello, DeeDee, Desra, Star, "Life Force", Cherokee, Dawn, D2 (DeeTwo), Braidy, Nutrie ... whatever we figure out to call you: Oh, you had alligators at your place too? Whew! You should have seen the dust flying over in "Christianity".

Judy just said she needs to make a call! Catch you later! :-)

Dan Ellsworth, Editor, "Christianity"

-- posted by Dan_Ellsworth

Top 20. Nov 13, 1997 5:24 PM

» MorningStar - You Funny Dan! LOL!!! Great names you came up with -- I like the

You Funny Dan! LOL!!! Great names you came up with -- I like them all except for the "Life-Force" one! LOL!!! I will let you and Jausten decide which one is a good one for me. Is that agreeable with you two? I *trust* you to find me a great nickname Greybeard!

The alligators I was referring to, were the ones that I had to crawl over here at my house, just to get to my keyboards! It seems I did not install my newest version of Netscape correctly and so I had to redo alot of stuff on my hardrive. I think everything is okay -- at least for now!

I sure do miss you Dan at my page. I guess that I need to go and visit you at your home too. Perhaps the dust has settled over there! I will visit you soon. Hey, would you like for me to bring over some cyberspace ice cream for a little party when I stop by? Or would you rather I bring over a dustpan and broom? Let me know!

In Friendship <*)))><

DDMS

-- posted by MorningStar

Top 21. Nov 13, 1997 7:27 PM

» Dan_Ellsworth - DDMS? Nicknames are not "done" by small committees, but by a gr

DDMS? Nicknames are not "done" by small committees, but by a growing consensus. Not everybody has come to their consensus. I was waiting to answer something over at "Nutrition", thinking I had been there a lot lately. Maybe not. I don't think I'll organize this message into paragraphs. My alligators were more allegorical - I think. Apparently a lot of people have had bad experiences with something labeled Christian - and just want to find somebody with "Christian" stenciled on his shirt to tell about it. Anyway, the trouble with any set of initials ending in MS, for people with computer jobs, is that they usually mean Management System. DDMS, thus, for example, could be Dinner Data Management System - whatever that is. Anyway, if I can be funny for a while in this topic and get your bodies to release endorphins and maybe hold down the pain for a while, well sure, why not? Got cinnamon-apple ice cream? At virtual parties, we could spread that on chocolate-chip cookies the size of Frisbees and eat until we looked like the milk ads but sloppier. Then we could declare ourselves virtually clean and virtuously calorie-free. And throw chocolate chip cookies to each other like Frisbees. Endorphins now! Make sure everyone has parents. Apparently a pun. Apun, my word! A play on words! A doubleplay on words. And the inning is over. So is this outing. Catch you later. Jausten, hope you didn't mind. Hope you didn't mind the jestin'. I'm quitting jestin time.

Dan Ellsworth, Editor, "Christianity"

-- posted by Dan_Ellsworth

Top 22. Nov 13, 1997 8:47 PM

» Jausten - Thanks Dan, I love your humour!...laughter really helps the e

Thanks Dan,

I love your humour!...laughter really helps the endorphins also...a nickname for Desra Dawn has to be her choice..ah, a little lightness before this comes to an end...new article up tomorrow about Fibromyalgia and Anger....hummmmmmm, wonder what that will create in here???..throwing coffee mugs at the computer???...*g...

Peace & Serenity (whatever and whereever that is)

Jausten, aka Cynthia

Suite 101 Contributing Editor: Fibromyalgia

-- posted by Jausten

Top 23. Nov 13, 1997 10:29 PM

» Dan_Ellsworth - Yeeeears ago, on my school bus, one kid who had just got a ticke

Yeeeears ago, on my school bus, one kid who had just got a ticket for "excessive noise" I think, said "I'm so mad I'm happy!" From someone who could hardly pass a course, I thought - even then - that was quite an insight. Ever been so mad you're happy?

Thanks for the kind words. I'm happy and ... well ... pretty close to serene. :-)

Dan Ellsworth, Editor, "Christianity"

-- posted by Dan_Ellsworth