I constantly read that we're given trials and tribulations so that we'd learn something, and that these things are going to keep coming back until we've learned the lesson.

The other day, I was having a particularly hard time with this really severe bowel disease I have, and thought to myself in exasperation, 'WHY did something that leads to a billion embarrassing situations all the time have to hit ME who am the most shame-prone person I know!'

Then I suddenly heard this small voice in my head saying, 'Maybe that's exactly why. Shame-inducing things are going to keep happening to me until I learn there's nothing to be ashamed of!'

Even though this doesn't make the embarrassing situations any easier to handle nor any less painful, it still feels like a relief.. Now I feel I'm actually working towards something instead of just suffering for no reason!