Why Pearl Jam Means So Much To Me

P34RL J4MM3R

I am so glad you are still ALIVE. Keep up the good work.

Magoo2

Daniel,
Your story brings me to tears. Both my kids, Max 16 and Katie 14, struggle with school. Max just dropped out at 16 due to the stress of feeling anxiety in the classroom. We are working on home schooling and getting a GED. Katie had her first bout of anxiety last fall and has been unable to go to school because she feels nauseous in the classroom and fears vomitting. We have gone to countless hours of therapy, seen different doctors and tried a few meds. We use music, Joel Osteen, Pearl Jam, Fishing, meditation, laughter, and anything else that works to battle the demons which cause this anxiety that keeps us from enjoying life. Anxiety is exhausting!!!! For me, Pearl Jam gets me throught the stress of feeling like I can't help my kids to deal with their anxiety. It is very painful as a mom.
I give you so much credit for not giving in and pushing yourself to get out there, even when something inside you tells you it is not the right thing to do - Keep battling those negative thoughts and put them in their place - the fucking trash. Reading your story really hits home when sometimes my husband and I get frustrated as to why the kids can't get to school. I have to remind myself that no one can know what it feels like unless they go through it, and it is very real.
I am positive your mother is with you everyday. Have faith that you can keep moving forward and be grateful for each day. God Bless You! Sue

Sarah

Phenomenal post. I, too, am an anxiety sufferer.
Thank you for telling your story so eloquently and honestly.

Undrakan

I hope to be able to express my feelings and troubles I have like you did. Be able to put in words what Pearl Jam means in my life and how grateful I am to Eddie and the band.
Thank you for sharing. Your force is very inspiring to keep strong.

P34RL J4MM3R

I still can't stop thinking about you and your amazing post. Haunting, Real, Powerful.
Thank you.

man_uv_the_hour

Wow, to be honest, I was nervous to even post this.. But such beautiful responses have made me glad I did. I really really appreciate the support, as well as connecting now with people who have been through something similar or know someone going through it.. I know it's really difficult to understand if you haven't really felt it yourself, and really, at 18, I considered my life to be over.. I don't even wanna say it, but I felt a lot of times like it wasn't even worth it to go through it anymore.. I was positive I was a hopeless case..
And now I'm here to say that anything is possible.. Even when you think it's not.. Especially when you think it's not..

Know one of the most important reasons I make myself go to these shows?
Not because other people told me I can't do it.

But because I keep telling myself I can't do it.

I don't mean to keep quoting lyrics, but one of the most helpful lines I get to sing along to is, 'it's funny when things change so much, it's all state of mind' ..

I don't say it in the letter, but I had tickets for Quebec too.. I didn't wanna mention it incase I chickened out..
But I went with my friend again.. While he sat in the passenger seat again (at my request), while I drove 9 hours to Quebec City.. What a feeling..

Again, I know it's hard to get if you haven't been through it, but 3 years ago, I could barely drive 5 minutes on the highway without going into a full panic where I'd have to get off at the next cut off..

Yesterday I did 9 hours.. (We split the all night drive back).. But I did 9 hours there with almost no anxiety.. Ok, I had a couple uncomfortable moments.. But I couldn't even believe how well it went.. Literally do not believe, as I lay in bed here, I've been awake for over 26 hours now, and (obviously) so happy that I made it to this show. Happy I made some more new friends (as I usually do at shows).. Very happy I got such a cool show, and you know, considering how crazy life is, and probably always will be, pretty happy about life in general.

And I want everyone to share this feeling with me. I think there's enough for everyone.

pjalive21

man_uv_the_hour said:

Wow, to be honest, I was nervous to even post this.. But such beautiful responses have made me glad I did. I really really appreciate the support, as well as connecting now with people who have been through something similar or know someone going through it.. I know it's really difficult to understand if you haven't really felt it yourself, and really, at 18, I considered my life to be over.. I don't even wanna say it, but I felt a lot of times like it wasn't even worth it to go through it anymore.. I was positive I was a hopeless case..
And now I'm here to say that anything is possible.. Even when you think it's not.. Especially when you think it's not..

Know one of the most important reasons I make myself go to these shows?
Not because other people told me I can't do it.

But because I keep telling myself I can't do it.

I don't mean to keep quoting lyrics, but one of the most helpful lines I get to sing along to is, 'it's funny when things change so much, it's all state of mind' ..

I don't say it in the letter, but I had tickets for Quebec too.. I didn't wanna mention it incase I chickened out..
But I went with my friend again.. While he sat in the passenger seat again (at my request), while I drove 9 hours to Quebec City.. What a feeling..

Again, I know it's hard to get if you haven't been through it, but 3 years ago, I could barely drive 5 minutes on the highway without going into a full panic where I'd have to get off at the next cut off..

Yesterday I did 9 hours.. (We split the all night drive back).. But I did 9 hours there with almost no anxiety.. Ok, I had a couple uncomfortable moments.. But I couldn't even believe how well it went.. Literally do not believe, as I lay in bed here, I've been awake for over 26 hours now, and (obviously) so happy that I made it to this show. Happy I made some more new friends (as I usually do at shows).. Very happy I got such a cool show, and you know, considering how crazy life is, and probably always will be, pretty happy about life in general.

And I want everyone to share this feeling with me. I think there's enough for everyone.

one victory at a time!!!

glad you went and enjoyed the show...killer set list!

Suziemay

Hi Daniel, nice to meet you. Thank you for sharing, was crying the whole time I was reading. You express your feelings so eloquently and I can immediately see how Pearl Jam resonates in your life so strongly from your choice of lyrics throughout.

And you went to Quebec City! That's so rad! It pretty much had the setlist of my dreams. Enjoy your upcoming shows, and keep on going to those shows and coming here to share. Lots of love

eaglefan03

Awesome story Thanks for sharing and we are all in this together it's what we make out of it and your doing awesome at it

Pap

man_uv_the_hour said:

And now I'm here to say that anything is possible.. Even when you think it's not.. Especially when you think it's not..

man_uv_the_hour

Wow, crazy few shows from Quebec to Ottawa, and Toronto last night was pretty wild.. Don't think many people knew what was going on, but I was blown away... Looking forward to my 22nd show and first time in the pit on Thursday.. Thanks again to the band and all the cool fans..

21 shows so far, and I can literally remember something special from each show, that I haven't gotten in any of the other shows... I still get something new every time.. Unbelievable..