Do You Want To Live Forever? -Sean Patrick Flanery
A testimony from Sean Patrick Flanery.
Do you? …well guess what? You can… and making it happen is an inside job. Shine Until Tomorrow changes lives daily.
“There is no religion in the recipe. As it turns out… the magic is in the mixing.” -Sean Patrick Flanery
I’m writing all of you today with an update on our little family. There are a number of people that I meet who are absolutely glowing, and overflowing with stories of change and progress. And, this number seems to be increasing exponentially! People have changed their lives forever, by simply wanting to. I can’t tell you how it makes me feel when people share their stories of finally pursuing a life long goal, or of weight loss and inversely proportionate happiness. The number of public proclamations is truly overwhelming, and while the journey has just begun for some, others have already made SIGNIFICANT changes in their lives. In a world where no one will stop a cell phone call long enough to assist a fallen grandmother on the street, I find arms outstretched everywhere in our little community here. I’m very proud of all the people that came out of the woodwork to offer assistance to Maggie, and I truly believe that one day SHE will be the one offering a “hand up”. Maggie, you kick ass! In the immortal words of George Michael, “you gotta have faith”, which, as it turns out, is nothing more than believing what you cannot see… and who’s reward is seeing what you cannot believe. I do know that some goals are hard to see from a distance, but just know that their approach is slow… but certain. “Special” is located deep inside of absolutely everyone, and we were all born with a shovel. You just have to pick it up, and keep digging until you find it.
You have to go out and find your “special”, because trust me… it’s not going to come looking for you. -Sean Patrick Flanery
Help is here… just look in the mirror.
“There is a divinity that shapes our ends. Rough hew them as we may” -William Shakespeare
One of the biggest tragedies of life is that most men go to their graves with their songs still in them. You see, God just didn’t see fit to distribute evenly the quality of “drive” throughout humanity. That’s because he’s a delegator, and he has left that task in the hands of parents everywhere to instill a will and determination in our children so that they will go forth, prosper, and then share their realized ideas, secrets and dreams with humanity so that they will live on eternally.
“DRIVE” IS LARGELY A PRODUCT OF “CIRCUMSTANCE”, AND IS THE ENEMY OF “COMPLACENCY”. -Sean Patrick Flanery
No matter what innate trait or skill you came equipped with, no one will ever find out about it unless you get up off the couch and realize the potential that will otherwise lie dormant. You see, every single human out there reading this is my superior in at least one way. But, unless they find it, hone it, and display it… no one will ever know. THIS, my friends, is eternal life, and ultimately life itself HAS to be about building a legacy that’s worth preserving.
Every millimeter in the right direction is a milestone.
No one’s impressed by us doing what we’re supposed to do; absolutely no one. After all, we were SUPPOSED to do it. Our level of success in any given field will never be dictated by the amount of work we complete that we’re supposed to complete. In fact, THIS I can guarantee… our success in everything in life will be almost directly proportional to the amount of work we do AFTER we complete the work that we are supposed to do. Does this sound harsh? Guess what… it is. THIS is why less than 5% of the population will ever achieve their goals, because, it is simply far too much trouble to live consistently with ones dreams and convictions.
Now for some more harsh news. NO change will ever be realized without a definitive plan for actually realizing that change. In the same way that a car will never reach the grocery store by simply starting the engine and placing a brick on the accelerator, it simply will not happen. Goals are a vital and necessary component of absolutely every achievement in life, both small and large. Without them… we will lose. By definition, we will be “losers”. I simply CANNOT make this point more delicate to save someone’s feelings. Roadmaps (as mandatory elements of achievement) are one of the operative principles of the universe, and this cannot be changed. Every single person out there that attempts to just “wing” life with absolutely no goals or plans for betterment will end up a “loser”. Period. Yep, that’s the technical term for people who look at life and decide to let things happen to them, as opposed to happen to life. The term is “losers”, and changing the term will not alter their fate or position in this world, it will just be more hand holding and singing… and if that is what you were looking for, I’m sorry, but you’ve stumbled onto the wrong site. We don’t “wish” to change our lives here, we go out with a plan… and we do it. We do it ourselves.
Goals: get used to them, or get used to where you are, because they are a necessary part of every successful pursuit.
If you wait around for life to happen to you, it will happen… but it will happen like you never DREAMED it would happen.
Life wears a cup, don’t be afraid to kick it straight in the balls.!!!!! -Sean Patrick Flanery
There truly are doers and talkers in the world, but I’m proud to report that OUR doers column is growing, and our talkers column is slowing. I’m proud of every single person out there that didn’t ask for a hand-out… but simply a hand-up. With a gentle nudge we did it on our own, and that will NEVER be matched in value to those similar goals that were received as gifts. Never. Be proud. I am.
Good night, God bless, and SHINE… until tomorrow!!!!
-Sean Patrick Flanery
I do believe in God with all my heart. As the verse says “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” So while I agree with you on all the rest, I do disagree about religion playing a part.
I don’t want to live forever, my life isn’t that great! I have met you and Norman Reedus several times, that’s the highlights! God Bless you, your a sweetheart!
Oh honey, no. I’ve met Sean and Norman too and while they are wonderful guys, you can have and be so much more. That’s the whole point of this blog, specifically this entry. If you really feel you’re life isn’t that great you need to take steps to change it. Self-pity is very seductive, and a few months back I was wallowing in it too. But since then I’ve lost 10 pounds (I need to lose much, much more, but I’m exercising, eating healthy, and generally feeling physically good), and I’ve gotten a job I love, am good at, and actually makes a difference. And I didn’t get a damn bit of it by letting myself believe my life “isn’t that great”. My life improved when I got off that train. I have an aunt who’s been on that train her whole life, and seeing up close what that attitude gets you in life was a real scared straight moment. So take the initiative to make things better now. I swear you will hate the alternative.
Belinda, nobody loves Norman and Sean like me, but you cant let that be the highlight. If it is, you need to get out there and make some new highlights! It’s possible It can be done and the possibilities are endless. Your next great thing is only limited by your desire and motivation.
I bet their mothers love them more!!! I know no one loves my children like I do.
Just saying.
And good heavens no, I don’t want to live forever on this earth. I do in Heaven. I try to do the best I can in taking care of myself heathwise and spiritually, and with kindness towards others, however.
Excellent, Lisa. 🙂
Another good post, well said… This here~ “You have to go out and find your “special”, because trust me… it’s not going to come looking for you.” says so much,it will be added to my list of favorite quotes. Thank you and bless you @};-
If this acting thing doesn’t work out for you 😉 you would do great as a inspirational speaker. You are right, “I can do this. Stick to the plan.”
It’s nice reading something that tells it like it is so thank you. I’ve already managed to deal with body issues in a healthy way, rather than choosing the destructive methods I used to. The thought of going to the gym isn’t a happy one. Being at the gym hurts. Walking out of the gym worn out an sweaty is the best feeling in the world, and I’m glad I’ve been at it for so long and haven’t just given up.
Sean your words push so many of us to take a step back and realize that hell hes right no ones going to hand our wishes, dreams, and achievements to us. We have to build these things for ourselves. I have pushed myself to eat healthy, workout, and restart my passion of martial arts after many years of hiatus.
So thank you for giving us all moments of your day to help us in ours.
May we all embrace everyday with a swift kick in the balls.
Thank you Sean.
reading this makes me think of the saying I have always lived by, “Luck is just preparation meeting opportunity”. good blog, thanks
I’d like to live forever through future generations. Traditions, stories and heirlooms. Blood, heritage and love can make one live forever
The only way in which I want to live forever is through the change I plan to do in this world. Stumbling across (or maybe driven to) this blog has reminded me of the path I was already on before I fell down & decided not to get up for a year. 2012 was a year in which I would call myself a loser, did it every day when I looked at myself in the mirror. Doing that only reinforced the thought. I am a firm believer in the law of attraction. I believe we bring in what we put out. I am getting more excited by the minute about getting back on my previous path & leaving the loser I became behind! Thank you Sean & this lovely community of fighters & supporters xo
Jenn, I couldn’t help but remember your recent post (in the NYE Resolution blog) about all the losses you suffered in 2012. Please don’t call yourself a loser. Who can blame anyone for being in a bad place after dealing with so much loss and grief! you were definitely not a loser, but obviously a STRONG woman to have been able to get through it all!!! xo
Lucia, thank you for your kind words of support. Every bit of encouragement helps immensely! I don’t mean to offend or upset anyone by saying I’ve been acting like a loser, but I am particularly callous with myself when it comes to letting the life I had slip away. Regardless of the losses, I had an AMAZING life! I was paid to travel the world & make people smile….my gypsy dream come true! In the last 8 years I have lost 10 people I love & through it all I was able to sustain my career & lifestyle, or so I thought. At the end of 2011 & leading into 2012 I was misdiagnosed with breast cancer, thinking I had it for nearly 3 months. Rather than breathing a sigh of relief when I found out it was a false positive, I went batshit crazy, filled with rage. Everything fell apart…between the cancer scare & the losses I’ve suffered. How dare I allow my life to fall apart when others suffer far greater pain & suffering than me & fight with every breath to make their lives better. When yet another dear friend of mine was killed last Friday in a car accident, it shook something deep inside me, the motivated side & reminded me that I AM still alive, so I better get back to it, rather than merely existing. I am angry with myself for all the wasted time, but you’re right, I AM a strong woman & even though sometimes it takes a little longer, I ALWAYS get back up when I fall or am knocked down. Again, thanks for caring, for responding & for your support! xo
Couldn’t help but notice, Sean, that you mentioned eternal life and God, but never Jesus Christ. No one will ever live forever on this Earth, and Christ is the only way to Heaven. “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” John 14:6. If you’re going to talk about eternal life, don’t forget He who made it possible.
Oh, and following Jesus isn’t a religion, it’s a way of life.
Much love to you, Sean. Keep up the positive, Godly message.
I believe you misunderstood.
bless ya chick you cant help if people take your words the wrong way. This is a lovely blog and I thank you for your thoughts and insights.
Thanks so much, Sean. This blog has hit home with me as I have realized that I need to make changes in my life and put forth the effort if I want to achieve my dreams. If so people view this as harsh they need to reevaluate themselves as to why they choose to respond that way. We were each given gifts and it is up to us to utilize them to their maximum potential. Once again, thank you.
Sean you are truely an inspiration normally I talk about how you encouraged me to change my life but there is a much more important life you helped change and that’s Cassie’s. Last spring the bullying was the worst it had ever been and I decided to take Cassie to meet her heroes Norman and Sean. All through the summer we read your blogs and between you and I unknowingly to you we saved her life Cassie wrote a story about a young girl who commits suicide from bullying and my heart died a bit that day she is 12. Your blogs picked me up and gave me the strength and knowledge to save my daughters life and meeting you this summer showed her how wonderful she is and you made her feel so special. You helped me save my baby girl and I will love you forever for that I can never repay you for the gift you have given me.
Cassie loves you to and she will never forget clinging to you like a monkey while you posed with her you are our gift from God and a true Saint in my world
Love Forever Breesie xx
I still have that photo in my kitchen!!! Give her a hug from me.
I promise I will xx
Another excellent blog, thank you! I couldn’t agree more with everything you said here. Strangely this subject is exactly the thing I’ve been struggling….or grappling….with recently. Goals, ambitions… Mine are BIG and I don’t intend on stopping until I achieve them. A friend of mine told me once that I have “more ambition than any 10 men I know.” Which is cool (and quite possibly true). So I’m treated like something different…a rarity (novelty even…). But I’m not. I’m just willing to TAKE ACTION. I’m willing, no, EAGER to do the work. Sean, this blog was great to hear because it encourages me to KEEP GOING even if no one else is coming… (Which is harder than I’d like to admit). Thanks and God bless.
I love this… And I understand it, and I want to “live forever”.Thanks again for this! It inspired ideas. PS, Mr. Flanery… You’re pretty amazing.
AMEN, Brother! I’m so glad I stumbled upon your site when I did. Just knowing there are people out there who understand and “get it” has made such a difference. My definition of problem is so different than someone else’s. But we’re all here talking to you, to others and to ourselves for a reason. We all got it in us. It’s there. Like you said, we just have to dig. I am proud!
Do I want to live forever? Definitely not. I have a fractional amount of time on this spinning rock, and am too busy living my life as full and as hard as I can. Most of my friends say that I live my life enough for 3. Good. It means I’m doing something right. I’m doing SOMETHING.
I don’t need to make my goals open for general public consumption. Why? Because I set them (usually several at any given time), and then I complete them. One at a time. Usually replaced with one or more. And the process begins again, while the other goals are being worked towards completion.
That’s not to say that I don’t mind showing the end goal, once reached. That’s when I choose to celebrate.
I’ve purposely taught myself several skill sets. Each goal becomes a challenge on how I can better each skill set. Please note, the only person I’m “competing” with is myself. How much better can I do “X”? This does not mean that I’ve stopped teaching myself skill sets — not by a long shot. I’m just building on the foundations I’ve already put into place.
The main thing I’ve learned is this: Nothing gets done I’ve not willing to sweat, swear, and bleed (it does happen) for my goals. This is why I have a steady source of water, food, and healthy first aid kit.
Your tweets and blog have been a steady source of inspiration. Probably when you least thought they would be. Shine on!
“Do not ask God to guide your footsteps…if you’re not willing to move your feet.” Sean, this quote sums it up so nicely for me. The path can be a little scary sometimes and hard, but I do believe God equips us with skills and gifts. I/We just need to step out and do it in spite of any fear.
Thanks again for the encouragement and not mincing words. Have a wonderful night!
Love ya,
Diane
Another good message, Sean!
We’ve got to be responsible for ourselves. While others can give encouragement… and that DOES help… only we can put our plans in action. We cant do it for anybody else. It has to be for us. Even if reaching our goals seems distant, we dont get any closer if we’re standing still. We have to move!
I started my own journey back to health after my auto accidents [yes… 2, within six months apart]. Some days I hurt. It would be easy to give up and just let self-pity swallow me up. I cant do that, so I push on and it feels great… both physically and mentally!
I work out daily. I monitor my intake… high protein/low cal diet and water, water, water!
I wanted to go back to school [something the accidents derailed]. I’m back now, full course load and excited about the curriculum. One more step towards a goal that I intend to see through until the end.
My third goal: Not to be afraid, anymore.
A few years ago [pre-accidents] I became the object of a very sick man’s attention. He would follow me around stores, drive up behind me and get his car between me and the door to my home.
He’d tell me how attracted he was to me… that he saw me ‘every time I left my home’ and knew ‘everywhere’ I went.
He once pulled up behind me while I was at the mailbox and was so close I had just enough room to turn and see he was back there. He tells me, ‘I still see you, everywhere you go’ and he drove away.
I did a search and found that the guy did 3 years of a 10 year sentence for first degree rape with a weapon.
I went to the police and was told there was nothing they could do unless he made a threat. All he was doing was ‘complimenting’ me and expressing interest!
I took matters into my own hands and bought a gun, then got my Concealed Carry license. I became a really good shot, too!
I moved, then had my 2 accidents, so I’m no longer driving the same car. I thought I was safe.
Very recently, I’ve seen him. He’s on my street. He’s driving by my house.
I’m sure it’s him [although I hope I’m wrong].
My first instinct was to run in my house and lock the doors. I havent thought about the guy with any real concern since I moved and that was several years ago.
I dont want to fall back into the habit of looking over my shoulder or peeking around the corners and down aisles every time I go shopping. In fact, I refuse.
I will not let one ‘scary guy’ make me live like a rabbit. I’ve got too much to accomplish!
Great post Sean!
In your last blog I left a comment in which I took responsibility for giving up on my dreams due to irrational fears. This is the year I am going to face it head on and accomplish my goals. I know that once I finish up my schooling and obtain my certificatin I will shine greater than ever expected and be happier than I even thought. I know that this is not something I can make excuses for or wait to happen to me, I have to push myself to get it done and to be the best I can at it. I want to show my kids that you(general you) can accomplish any aspiration and once those are reached you strive for a greater. The one thing I have learned in this life is to never settle, even if you are somewhat happy with that settling point. I may not want to physically live forever but I do hope that my memory and my accomplishments will carry on for many years after I leave this earth. I’m babbling now 🙂
I’m so happy that instead of talking about changing my life I’m doing it. My Dreams are now realistic goals that I’m going to reach. God isn’t going to help me but my friends and family here on Earth are. You always bring the extra nudge of encouragement that is helpful. Thanks Sean
I wholeheartedly agree about having faith. Whether it is faith in a higher power or just faith in oneself. It’s never easy and people need to work at things. Recently, As I said on your previous entry, one of my good friends passed away but the key thing here is for me to pick right up where I left off. The same goes for having a roadmap. It was said that a lot of people feel like they’ve failed at their resolutions in the first 2 weeks of January and I feel like this isn’t near enough time. I printed out the other entry and I will be printing this one as well as a reminder to keep moving forward.
Very awesome thank you sean! Our dojo has been a big drive lately! Have a good week!
You know, I don’t think that your words are harsh- they’re the truth! I’ve been a huge fan of yours since I was 10 and I’m 22, that’s a long time to believe in someone and I can honestly say I love you’re blog. I love that you actually care about your fans and the people around you. You’re a man with integrity and I love and respect that about you. I know I want to become better person and reading your words actually makes me believe I can be. You’re an awesomely amazing person.
Heather
Well godspeedwithyahon. Doing a good turn here, so you have my full support. I’ll come give you (whatever you want) if you can manage to motivate my fat ass. Until then…
True, yet again Sean.
Now, I have to take a second to say thanks. Though I started this journey of mine a little while back, your blog has truly helped me with exterior motivation. You have a way of getting me going a bit more than I have been on my own. I’m glad to report that my weight loss is continuing. Though it has been three weeks since I’ve had the chance to weigh in, I am already having to contemplate the need for alterations on some of my clothes. Pretty cool, huh? Also, my search for a new job is not getting anywhere fast, I have submitted my resume with a local business, only to find that they have already filled the position. Though this was an upset, I’m not letting it get to me… this one will take time. And in true Flaner-ian style, I’ll leave you with a favorite quote of my own… it seems quite fitting for all of us.
“We often miss opportunity because it’s dressed in overalls and looks like work” -Thomas A. Edison
Well said, Sarah! And congrats on your progress so far.
Dear Sean & Everyone Else,
A few things, I will live forever-through my daughter Zoe who is almost 6. She is the greatest gift I have to give the future of the world. I try everyday to instill in her that all people are equal, to be kind, helpful, loving, sweet to animals, and above all follow her dreams. I do not want her to be like me. I want her to be whoever it is she is destined to be.
Secondly, I will live on through my writing. I have published a poetry book and a novel. I will live on through my words. Even if only 10 people read them, perhaps at least one of those people will get the point.
Thirdly, I am not saying anyone’s path in this world is easy, but mine has definitely been kicking my ass-until recently. I have made the decisions and roadmap-to get off the damn path I have been on and back onto the main road. I do not believe this is me sacrificing myself or my individuality, but rather saving my life. I want to be there for others. I want to show love to people who perhaps simply do not get enough of it. I do believe that life is a bitch, but you and I can make a difference in this world-and we can through our actions live forever. Because love never dies. Thank you for reading.
Casey Corine Hutson
Thanks for your posting, Casey. It was very touching. I am just getting back into my writing and I plan to make a success of it. Like you said, we can live through our words and hopefully help others through our actions. We each have gifts but most of us allow our own self doubt to keep us from reaching our potential and beyond. We have to touch the Divine in each of us and allow it to take root and soar higher and higher.
Thank you for the amazing post and (continued) wise and motivational words!
I dont wanna live forever!!! I will complete my goals and I will lose weight!:) over the past two years my determination has sky rocketed and my life has been steadily getting better from the sadness that dominated it in the past . I am now looking to work with people who have disabilities and seniors so that I can help them with their goals as well and help improve their lives too:) so I wish you and everyone else luck with your goals and hope that this year is gonna be great for you all!! xxx
I do not want to simply exist; I want to live. For so long I was just going through the motions. I honestly believe that 3 months ago I already had one foot in the grave. What’s worse is that I wasn’t doing anything about it. I did not have any goals because I had already given up. Today I am still standing on the edge, but I’m doing everything I can to move further and further away. I have only lost 13 lbs which is a mere drop in the bucket. I am still morbidly obese. I know that I am very fortunate not to have any health issues related to my health so far, and I know that can change. However, the changes I have made in these couple of months have already had a dramatic affect on my life. Exercising and eating healthy has already made such a huge difference. I am so happy right now. I feel amazing. I have no problem waking up in the morning now. I am at the beginning of my journey. It is incredible to hear from so many other people who have either already completed this journey or are still trying to make it through like me. So many times I have been encouraged by someone else – congratulated for losing a few more pounds or encouraged to keep going when the going gets hard. I’m always so happy when I can do the same for someone else. This is all new to me. I grew up in a family that did not display emotions and asking for help was a sign of weakness. You took care of your own problems behind closed doors. I know I am ultimately the one responsible for my own success, but it is so much easier when someone cares if you succeed or not. No one is going to do this for me, but I appreciate the occasional shove, kick, or push in the right direction. Thank you for that. I will make my life worth living.
One of the hardest things I have decided to is change those things that irriate me about me. Does that make sense? What I am referring to are the things like putting things off, following through projects and and of course excuses. Today I concurred all 3 and kicked their asses. Changing these parts I found were harder than losing the 45lbs. I feel good about this change. I was blessed with good doctors reports and I will continue as I want to be remembered. I don’t want to live forever either but I do want to change me for the good. Im proud to say Im doing damn good. I have a co worker that was inspired but me……..ME! Thats powerful. I did this for me no one else but I have to say you are always in my corner. Shine on my friend. 🙂
Life is that dance we do in the space between making it happen and letting it happen…I Love to Dance
*raises hand* I mean, who doesn’t want to live forever? I think people find it easier to put things into the universe that they don’t plan to work hard for or they are fine with seeing their just dreams as some distant fantasy. I LOVE how you pointed out that “a dream becomes a goal when action is taken” because I 100% believe that. I myself am a doer, it’s just sometimes I take the scenic route, but I never stop moving. It’s frustrating at times when people i know or care about think it’s ok to just exist and not live. *shrugs* BUT THANK YOU FOR SUCH AN AWESOME BLOG!!! #subscribingnow
Everyone needs to read your blog. You are just so inspiring and encouraging. I thank you (again) for lending a hand on this journey to becoming a better me.
With every waking moment we all need to strive for greatness and truth. One day at a time with high hopes and plan to make it all better for ourselves and our lives. Each little step is a step in the right direction when we believe that there is a higher power and that higher power resides within us. I have found mine…I’m starting to use it in the RIGHT way. I’m kicking life in the balls as we speak, FINALLY being able to look in the mirror and see the wide self growing slowly thin. 🙂 Watching as my clothes become bigger and my confidence a little higher, feeling like I am becoming more beautiful as the days pass me by, because for the first time in my life…I can start to see the REAL me buried underneath and thats the greatest gift life an offer….
Would you be willing to consider writing a new blog post addressing socially acceptable behavior online, please? There is an increase in the number of people who lack understanding of what is and is not acceptable behavior. I am upset that people are unwilling or incapable of acting like decent human beings towards others. You are a person of influence; you would be able to call attention to the issue and help guide people onto the right path.
Yes.
Yes! This is an excellent idea and I’m looking forward to it!!
Thank you, Sean x
That is a good subject. People can be so rude and mean. It’s sad.
I second that motion. I work in retail, worse actually, a truck stop/convenience store/gas station. I deal with all walks of life, and sadly the percentge of decent people with any form of respect is pretty low. I’d appreciate a post from Sean about this issue, if for nothing else than to hear it’s not just me seeing this trend. But perhaps further down the road, or in conjunction with this subject, ethics should be addressed. What’s happened to us that no one has any pride anymore? I’ve told my mom before that one of the biggest things I ever learned from her is a great work ethic. I take pride in my work, even as much as I hate it at times, if I have to clean a gnarly mess in the men’s room, I’ll be damned if I half ass it!
Excellent idea, you are not alone in thinking this, I see it every day in the worst possible way.
That would be so interesting to read as I compare society to a group of chickens, when one is different they peck it to death! People are nothing without good will, self-fulfilling prophecies. Ignorance by our leaders have left once small issues unattended to and ignored until they become gaping societal sores blistering with disgust… Society needs addressed, yes, … It needs a chivalry revival!!! :). Write the wrongs of the bliss of ignorance!!
Dear Sean,
Thank you for everything you’ve done, I was wondering if you could help me out a bit, maybe some words of wisdom. Here is my story. For a while now life has really been hard, in February my sister had abandoned the family, she took on a new family. up until this, life was great. It was normal, I’m the only person she has kept in contact with I’ve seen her once in the last year, one month later a family member had a stroke, I was the only person with the time to take care of her. She is very stubborn and loves to feed off people’s emotions, she had her stroke 8 months ago and should have already been walking on her own and refuses to. But everything happend so close together that the family didn’t have time to cope with everything. My mother has gotten kind of cold, my father stays away from her as much as possible. I’m 15 years old,This has changed me a lot but I think the change has made me better in a way. I’d like to find some kind of way to get me through this without turning into a cold person or bitter.. Got anything?
I won’t pretend that I have anywhere near enough information to help your specific situation, and I certainly hope things get better quickly. BUT, I can tell you that the vast majority of adults that I know now reflect back on their teenage years and realize that either A) what they thought was catastrophic, was actually the normal fluctuations of any family life OR B) the things that they experienced actually helped to shape them into the strong people that they’ve become. All I can say is to “endeavor to persevere”. The ship will right itself if you stay at the helm. God bless. -Sean
Impressive.
I love this! I tell young people the same thing.
I went through ALOT of heavy things as a kid and I like to share some of it with people now, to show that no matter what you’ve been through in your life, you have the ability to turn the negative into a positive, if you want to.
People get quite a shock when I open up to them, because I’m such a well-rounded, happy, positive person.
I could have gone down a bad path, but I CHOSE to turn it around and make a better life for myself.
I really love the way you think Sean. You truly are in inspiration. 🙂
I’m in a similar boat as my grandmother has suddenly lost her mobility and in the place of family issues we have financial issues. As a 17 year old Guy in college I know that my time and energy is more abundant than my parents who both work. The stress of it all has caused my mother to break down more than a few times and my dad to become consistently frustrated. The care for her has fallen to me while I take and keep up with my 4 classes. As for the stubbornness, I think that is just what to expect from that generation. This has made me realize that a decision I have been putting off(what career I will choose) is more obvious than I cared to admit, I found out I would make a half decent EMT. You may not get the revelation may not come today or tomorrow but soon, be patient and most importantly with your family member be stern bit calm on getting her to walk.
Raechel, I know you asked Sean for some advice but I wanted to say something to ya. I know kinda where you are coming from. Both my sisters left when I was 13. At the same time 2 of my nieces came to live with us since my brother could not take care of them. The two of them both have mental illness(schizophrenia, bi-polar). My other brother and father did not want to handle them, and mom had to work. It became my responsibility to take care of them most nights. It was hard during that time. I am 26 now and I can look back and say it shaped me into a better person. I learned to stand on my own, how to take care of people, and a lot of patience. Keep a positive out look on things and you will come out on top. You say the family member who had the stroke feeds off of others emotions, then always be positive and strong around them. Don’t let them bring you down, show them where they should be. Keep moving forward! I know some days it will be hard, but even just you taking the time to help your relative makes you a better person. =)
It truly makes you wonder (or at least me) is there something I have done that will live on long after I am gone, or will I just be forgotten?…….. I have not shared this with anyone yet, and I would love for all of you to be the first to know. I have always had the dream to lose weight, but now since I have started to achieve that goal(78lbs down woo hoo!!), I have a new dream/goal. Since I know I can lose this weight, I want to eventually become a physical trainer. As I have dropped pounds, I have become motivated to work towards something even greater. Eventually I want to be where I can help other over weight people work towards their goals.. Not through surgery or magic pills, but hard work and a road map to success! I have always had this want to help people better themselves, but I had no clue how. Now I know what I want to do and I am taking the steps to achieve it. Someday I can only hope it is my story that will be told to others, and help them find the courage to take those steps to better themselves.
Since I don’t see my previous comment:
I don’t want to live forever however what I would love to do is make an impact before I go. As I mentioned on the resolutions entry, I lost a friend to spinal cancer and he made such a huge impact on my life, just as you have. I spent all day January 2nd crying but then I knew what I wanted to do. A week from Thursday, I will be in the same bar in the same hotel where we hung out and I will raise my glass in honor of him. I drink to remember and never to forget.
One of the things that has helped me in this goal, is that I am open with my Asperger’s. I’m not afraid to put myself out there if it means one more person can understand what it may be like. Of course, it’s a spectrum condition so my experiences are one small piece but I hope to inspire others. If I do nothing else in my life… This is what I hope for and strive towards.
I really needed to read this today.
I recently realized what a loser I was and didn’t know what to do about it. I turned to you for guidance. I got off my butt and started trying. I am getting healthy and now going after my goals. You gave me strength again. I guess I should say you have saved my life twice now.
Thank you for not sugar coating your words or being delicate with them. People need the push and you are great at shoving the much needed reality in our faces. Thanks for making me see how pathetic I was, now I can change and I am working hard at it. No one can change me but me! You are my inspiration 🙂
I am sure my kids get sick of me talking about having to set goals and what we need to do together to reach them regardless if they are goals in school, in their sports, or in helping to give back to the community. As we talk about the different things they want to accomplish I am constantly asking – what do you need to do to get there and how are you going to do it – then the wheels are in motion. One example is my daughter plays golf – she wanted to take strokes off her game. Every day this summer I dropped her off at the course in the morning and her dad picked her up at lunch. She played 18 holes every single day, worked on the range and even worked towards a new set of clubs this year. She took 20 strokes off her game over the summer and managed during competitions to place in the top 10. She set her goal, decided what she needed to do and made it happen. I’m not even real sure she knows how amazing it really was – after all I’m mom and I always tell her she is awesome. She has new goals set for this year to be ready for her senior year of golf and I have every confidence she will make it – I’ll be keeping tabs for sure. I must admit I love setting goals. I have my long term goals on how I am going to change/improve myself and my journey and I have my short term goals. I even map out what I need to do for each one and as I get each one done – BOOM – check it off. I have been known to tape my checked off lists on my office wall at work to remind myself of those awesome days I reached one of my goals (can you say nerd). I appreciate your words and I can honestly say that reading your blogs and your twitter comments has inspired me to keep going and to keep in mind I am the only one that can make it happen. I have had a year of waking up – and this year – I am definitely feeling the inspiration to keep going. Thank you. – @witha_c
Sorry, turns out I have more to say.
I’ve heard the saying my entire life, “Nothing worth having ever came easy.” That is 100% true. Your dreams, hopes, and desires are not just going to magically appear. You have to take chances and put yourself out there. You cannot be afraid of the word NO. It’s just a word. If someone tells you NO on your journey, then keep going. Sometimes this means leaving certain people in your rearview mirror. Do not let others hold you back. Do not listen to that little voice that says you can’t do it. Duct tape that little voice the hell up and follow your heart. I have always said I am more afraid of never trying and therefore never knowing, than I am of failure. Because at least I TRIED. As Sean said-So many people are so afraid to even try, that they don’t-well, if you never try, what do you expect when you don’t get what you want? On my new path, my journey BACK to the person I was once will no longer even include the word failure. It is not an option. It is no longer in my vocabulary. I do believe in God. I believe God gave each and every one of us the tools we inherently need at birth. I also believe in God because I am still alive and able to sit here and comment on Sean’s blog. That is a blessing. There are too many things I still want to accomplish-Someone has been watching out for me. Whoever you are, wherever you are-Thank you. Thank you again for reading. Casey
Sean, I have said this many times…you are a word-smith! You never cease to amaze me. I never understood the full impact that words could have till I began to read yours. Because of your motivation, I have lost 75 lbs. I no longer take diabetic medicines and my back and leg pain has been cut in half. My clothes fit, I can look in a mirror and like who I see..I am proud of myself…something I have never been before. I owe you……Thank you for my new lease on life!!!
CONGRATULATIONS!!!! That is beautiful.
Tracy, that is AMAZING. You should be SO SO SO SO SO SO proud of yourself!!!
1,000 people have said this, so I’ll be 1,001 – Your words have had a huge impact on my new views on my life. I have never “met” anyone like you before-and it is so nice to know that there really are people in the world who care about others, like you Sean.
If you made this post because of that tweet of a few days ago let me tell you that you are sweetness…
And if I have to write my opinion I have to say that truth hurts most of the times but if you don’t want to listen it, don’t do it it’s your choice!! Because You have a point here Sean and you know.
There’s no such thing as a small change ♥
The other day, I found myself thinking about how great it would be to know how to play the guitar and what a shame it is that I’m too old to learn how to play it. Holy Crap…I’m 33. What is wrong with me?! This is the kind of attitude that needs a good ass kicking and this blog was just the thing I needed. Thanks for your words, Sean, and I look forward to my next ass kicking.
Forget your age! Learn something new everyday… I forgot how to play guitar and all it took was a DVD and a guitar to learn to play again… Same age as you 😉
I started playing the guitar at 37! There’s no limit to what you can do when you truly want to learn something new. Just have fun and follow your heart!
I’m on it! 🙂 What an awesome attitude to have and I’m so ready…
Very much like Casey, I do want to live on forever..but only through my daughter, Kaylani and (God willing) future children. She truly is my world and watching her every single day makes me push myself further to achieve what I’ve always wanted. I want to instill in her that she can do anything and not to let anyone hold her back.
Your blogs continue to inspire me Sean! Thank you so much! Yvonne
Sean,
I have great respect for your drive and your consideration of others, the world would be a much better place if there was more personal responsibility, integrity and consideration for our fellow man. I absolutely agree that we must be willing to move our feet and commit to change with action and not just lip service. That said, we part ways on equating legacy with eternal life~poets and prophets aside, legacy is what we leave behind and eternal life is what we move forward into. The Bible teaches eternal life is only found through faith in Jesus Christ, a simple individual choice, a choice that, for many of us, is the greatest life changing act, of personal responsibility, we will ever make.
I do not expect folks to agree with my opinion, but I felt compelled to share my thoughts because this is a place that I feel safe in doing so.
Blessings, to you and to all of us working diligently to achieve the goals we have set, so we can rejoice in our own hard work!
~M
Synchronicity…such an incredible, inexplicable connectedness. You know when you’re amalgamated with the Universe the moment your sentiments are validated by someone or something (blog) not even close to you. I was having this exact conversation with my best friend this morning.
Something that I’ve experienced, most of my life, is the feeling of not quite “fitting in”. I’ve questioned my worth because so often our worth is based on what we have or what we do. I’ve struggled, and have had many conversations with other people who have struggled, with fitting into what is expected of them. SO often, we can see the value in our friends/family members but, they have or we have an incredibly difficult time seeing our talents and gifts;They get kind of foggy because we try and see ourselves and the world through the lenses of “society” and we reject our own vision. We’re told from a young age what is expected of us. When we “fail” to meet these expectations we tend to believe we’re worthless. Humans lose their value when their value is aligned with THINGS;Things go away, jobs end, unpleasant shit happens and when that takes place, people feel lost. It’s an unfortunate dis-ease we have, a dis-ease that creeps in and blocks us from experiencing or living out our authenticity. I see and hear it every day. Friends constantly call me seeking advice or guidance (which has always baffled me,simply because I haven’t accomplished anything worthy of placing me in an authoritive role of understanding) but, I do what I can to help. They pray and pray for answers to smack them in the face or fall in their lap, and they consistently ignore their heart (or Spirit) we were given to lead us in this life, the inner voice that screams at them. They truly believe that what their heart tells them can not be the Truth or the answer, because it doesn’t fit into what they’ve been told they can be or “should” be; It’s tragic. Though, I do believe that there is an awakening happening, a shift; at least in my Universe 😉 Your words and thoughts are an indication of said shift. The people that follow and take in your words are also a part of that conversion. It’s wonderful to be a witness and an active participant!
I thoroughly enjoy and appreciate your blog. You are a great mind and I am SO glad that you recognized your gifts and share them with the world. I have a prodigious amount of respect for you!
Keep on keepin’ on!!
I know that I need a change in my life but I was waiting for it to fall in my lap or to be handed to me. Well, that’s what needed to change first- you need to go out and do it. I no longer want to be complacent. I have set goals and this is the year to work on them. I feel this blog came at the right time. I needed to hear something like this to give me a kick in the ass and get moving. Thank you!
I just really hope you realize how amazing you are, Sean. You inspire me each and every time you post a new blog. Sometimes I even go back and read older ones when I’m feeling especially unmotivated. You give us that swift kick in the asses some of us greatly need. It surprised me how fast you became a great influence in my life, only after reading the blog you posted for New Year’s. I’ve been a fan of your work, but I have to say, I see you in a whole new light since following you on Twitter and faithfully following this website. I have earned so much respect for you. You don’t sugarcoat anything, and I appreciate that so much. You tell it like it is, because we NEED that to get on the right path of gaining control of our lives. I’m turning 19 in March, and I spent a good majority of my teen years dreading the future. You opened my eyes to how much control I have in my life and you’ve motivated me to put in the work and dedicate myself. For the first time, when I think about the future, I’m not overwhelmed with anxiety and dread; I’m actually excited. Thank you, Sean. You’re such an inspiration. You are proof that there are still genuinely kindhearted people out there. Thank you for taking the time out to mentor your fans. You are so very appreciated. Even all of this doesn’t begin to explain how much I admire you. I just adore you and your wonderful heart. THANK YOU!
Well i don’t want to live forever. I love my life, i do. I learn and see a lot in the past. And i wanna see a lot in the future. I’ll give these experiences to my son and hope it will help him rock his life too. I hope i will be old. A granny with white hair and a bright smile in my face. See my child and grandchilds grow up happy. And then i make space for the next generation. I wanna die in the knowing that my life was good.
Dear Sean,
i’ve already made some progress since your new years resolutions blog. I’m giving myself the change to learn and eat new things, healthy food to become a healthy person again. Only smokes 5 cigarettes since New Year’s Eve and it’s a miracle that i haven’t gone crazy yet because i’m going through a stressful period right now, i have exams this month (yes Belgium sucks at organizing the schoolsystem) and i’m doing quite greats actually and i believe it’s all because of you and the grand inspiration you are to me. Thank you so much!
2 years ago, as I was celebrating my 23rd birthday, I came to the conclusion I was going nowhere. I was wasting a lot of energy in useless things, useless because they weren’t truly what I wanted to do. Instead of putting the blame on others, I took a look at how I’ve been doing things and decided that as it seemed it wasn’t working at all, I would do the exact opposite. Since I made that decision and actually put it into practise, my life has changed radically. I am DRIVEN, FOC– USED like I have never been in my life and you know why? Just because I have decided to be like that. That’s it. So all you’ve been writing is true to me. All you gotta do is decide to change, do it and then things start happening and you end up in this amazing chain reaction. Two years ago, I decided to become a movie journalist and I am now. Not a huge one but I’m on my way. Keep the faith alive.
What lies behind us and what lies before us, are tiny matters compared to what lies within us
Sean, you are a wise man. I admire you so much! You know to dream and be right at the same time. Congratulations for your work.
Hi Sean,my name’s javier.I’m 25…I’ll try to be brief. Al my life I’ve been souranded by people that never undertand how I feel or what want in life (that includes my family)…I love writing and I always wanted to share this with everyone, but all I had in return was lauhgters and contempt…I’m planing on going to the Unated State and try…No I understand is not healthy for me to stay here (Argentina) …For me,my life has just began…I guess that, I do want to live forever. If is not phisically, I’ll do it someother how…I admire what you do..I wish I had a friend like you round…big hug..thanks
Sean, once again you’ve blown me away. I, for one, couldn’t be more glad that you don’t “sugar coat” the truth. You tell us just how it is and it’s the swift kick in the ass that we really need. (At least, for me.) You are such a huge inspiration to so many people. I see it every day when I log onto twitter and see your retweets from followers telling you how you have inspired/helped them change their lives for the better. Please, don’t stop doing what you do. I adore you! Much love, ~Sarah (@saraheliza83)
Hi Sean, my name is Milada. I am 16 years old. I know that a lot of people say that you are an inspiration for them and for me, you are an inspiration, you’re famous, people love you and you’re unforgettable. I’d just like to tell someone and I believe that you’re the right person. I think that today’s world is very bad. Everyone spends their entire day on the internet I simply would like to turn the internet off. Because I think there is a better world, but a lot of young people do not see it .. and seeing where the world leads sometimes feel that everything is useless in life nedocilým never anything amazing what you have advice for me? you are my role model and I think about you every day, I just wanted to ask what you think about the world today? Regards M.
Wow, your words are truly inspiring! I’m catholic, I have faith and sometimes I just accept the things that happen to me and I say to myself: God wanted that way. But I can’t live like I was beeing guided by God, right? I do love and believe in God but I gotta take the whell of my life! I got to achieve the goals I establish! Thank you for opening my eyes, for giving life lessons like this.
I didn’t want to live at all for a long time and tried to give up but I couldn’t bring myself to do it. I’m not going to say you were my inspiration to keep going, I was my inspiration. I decided life wasn’t Nearly as bad as I made it out to be and so I have continued to live. I recently fell into a bit of depressed state, though, and your blogs have helped me keep my head in a good place. I’m slowly pulling back out of this and I just have to thank you for your contribution.
You’re a good guy and an inspiration, Sean, so thank you for using your popularity for something good.
I would not want to live forever because all of my close friends and family would be gone. Life is too short so make the best of it by doing and making what you want happen.
This post has so much depth to it… Every last word is so thought provoking. Thank you for this Sean!
I believe in the saying “If you are the best you can be, at whatever you do, then you are a success”. No matter if you are a CEO or clean toilets.
Lately I’ve been having doubts about becoming a writer but after reading this I’ve decided that I’m going to go for it. It’s something that I’ve dreamed of doing for a while now and I’d rather go for it and have the possibility of failing than to not go for it at all and always think of what could have been. Thanks Sean!!
Sean, Once again a message that I believe everyone needs to hear. I think living forever means leaving a mark on this world & leaving it better than you found it. Each person is Special & has to find that certain gift within themselves and apply it. Actions speak louder than words, so it all in the doing. All of your words are always so encouraging & special. I thank you for each & every word from your blogs. You are a true inspiration & yes “Saint Sean Patrick” not just “Saint Conner” 🙂 Thank You 🙂
Hey Sean,
I’m not sure about living forever, but living every day healthy, happy & doing all I can to meet my ambitions sounds like a pretty great life!
That would be a true blessing after all I’ve been thru the past decade. After being misdiagnosed as clinically depressed & bi-polar2 I spent 4 years trapped in the hell of mood stabilizing medications. They may work for those that need them, but when given to those that don’t, the results are devastating.
I went from being a happy healthy outgoing woman to one that wept all the time & lived (if you want to call it that) life in a fog terrified to even walk the few feet across my front yard to my mailbox…. & those were some of the more mellow things that happened. I don’t really want to get into the much darker moments, but trust me…. it was a horrific existence during that time of my life.
It took losing everything dear to me & completely hitting rock bottom to finally stand up to my Drs. I pretty much threatened them that one way or the other I was NOT taking those meds anymore! It worked. I felt better briefly, but then got REALLY sick. This time was different, tho. I found a wonderful Dr who found the real problems immediately. All that time I had hypoglycemia & hypothyroidism & I had exacerbated the symptoms by taking the mood altering meds.
It took 2yrs to find my proper dosage of thyroid meds & I’ll admit it was a rough 2yrs. I spent quite a bit of it feeling sorry for myself & being filled with bitterness over all the yrs I lost in my medicated fog.
Last year I turned 40 & something snapped inside me. I was so tired of living the way I’d been living. It finally dawned on me I was the only one who could change it & change it I did!
First I removed many of the negative people in my life & developed stronger bonds with the positive people. I started really focusing on what I needed instead of trying to pacify everyone around me. Wow! Has it worked!
The mood meds had caused terrible weight gain (way over a 100lbs worth!) & my health was starting to deteriorate. The fatty liver, racing heart, shortness of breath all of that & more was there & I wanted it gone.
I can proudly say as of today I’ve lost 75lbs thru good old fashioned proper diet & exercise. All those symptoms I wanted gone have long since disappeared & I’m beginning to see signs of that happy charming lady I used to be. I have more weight to lose & more shaping up to do, but it is not the daunting task to me it once was. It’s now just my life & the way I choose to live it. My only lingering issue is my thyroid. I still have “episodes” from time to time, but I push thru them & keep marching toward my goal of not only recapturing who I was before my misdiagnosis, but striving to be better.
It has been one of the hardest yet rewarding journeys of my life & the best part of it is I’m finally in control my destiny & my future is shining brightly!
Thank you, Sean for all your words of wisdom & even those swift kicks in the butt! They always seem to come just when I need them! I would say I won’t let you down, but I prefer to say I won’t let me down. After all, I can finally see I’m worth it!
With Much Love, Shawna B
I’ve dug alot Sean. And I found my nack, I found it back when I was a teenager and decided to dig somewhere else. And now here I am, 10 years later, back to writing. I love it. It’s the only thing in life, besides my daughter, that truly makes me happy and excited when I wake up in the morning. I am halfway through my second book and the people who have read my first are excited and write me telling me how anxious they are to read the next. And it really is thrilling, someone liked what I wrote. There isn’t a better feeling when someone tells me the parts of my book they liked when I run into them at the store. Their body language and their voice, so entusiastic. It’s truly a great feeling. I hope everyone else finds that thing that really makes them happy, rather it be an author, a salesman, teacher or whatever, but when you find it, do it and do it good!
Sean, many years ago I made a bad life decision that caused my weight to balloon to an unhealthy level. I made a plan years ago to change that after having spent years just “wishing” for change. I have lost 80 pounds. I am now within 20 pounds of my goal weight. At times, it has been a hard and lonely journey. Thank you for writing this blog. I have found it to be such an encouragement when I have felt disheartened and a good swift kick in the butt when I have felt my motivation waning. I appreciate your honesty and frankness knowing you say it because you truly care about us. It’s very rare to hear in a world where people are afraid to speak their minds and would prefer to be politically correct. I value the truth even when I don’t always want to hear it. Please don’t ever stop speaking what’s in your heart. Thank you and God bless!
Sean, you really kicked me in the butt with your New Years blog post. It inspired me tremendously. I’m not that far along yet, but I’ve started eating much, much healthier than I used to, exercising with a Combat program, and feeling much better in my day-to-day life as a result. Now, I’m going to implement more discipline in my life in other areas. But, starting with working out and switching up how I eat has given me a clearer head and a great starting point for other things. Thank you so much for the encouragement.
By the way, you advised me a while back to limit my online role playing as much as possible. I wanted you to know I dropped the accounts completely. I don’t want to be caught up in something that doesn’t matter in the long-run. Thanks, Sean. 🙂
Three years ago, I started self-harm. This year, in the age of 15 I’ve decided to stop and I’m trying my best. The reason I started was because I felt really bad about everything, my friends don’t know about it because I tell them a different story. The things I felt bad about are, not that I think of it, very silly. It was because my friends weight a little more than me and I’ve always been the skinny-stick girl who eats like an elephant but never gains weight, I felt like it was my fault and I had eating disorders for about two years that shifted from always being hungry to never be hungry. I’ve also had a tough time in school in which I almost failed my classes. I never knew what I wanted to be when I grow up and I never had any plans for how my life was going to end.
Today, it’s been around six months since a friend from my childhood died in an accident, I was one of the persons who knew her the best even if I didn’t talk much to her. I miss her but at the same time I don’t because I know she’s in a better place now. After her death, I didn’t break, I didn’t fall, I just knew that I needed to do something with my life. I don’t know how I got that thought..
This coming year, I’m going to do my best to get control over my own life, to stop self harm, do my best in school and get higher grades. And I want to start writing, because I’ve been told that I have talent and I love to write stories. I love to express myself with handwritten words!
I have a plan for my future and I want to make it happen, and I’m going to make it happen!
So many people have given me inspiration, now I want to be able to do the same to others when I get older!
now that i think of it*
Sean, Have you ever thought about writing a book. Maybe like an inspirational guide to health and fitness. You have a lot of good insight.
Wow so all these years I have set goals for myself, I was going in the right direction. I am now on my goal path for better health. Been on that one for several years now. But 2013 kicking it up a notch. When my friends talk to me about how bad things are in there life etc…. I just tell them this and I try to live by it myself. “It’s always darkest before the dawn” , Pretty much when you feel you have hit rock bottom, and there is no light. Just remember the only way to go is up. And it can only get so dark before it turns to light once again. As for living forever. I want to make it to 101, and enjoy all the things in life that I can. I have started my bucket list. And I am checking things off. One of them was done over NYE weekend with my youngest son. We went Ice skating. At 49 I finally did it. I say when I turn 60 I want to go sky Diving. My son Tony wants me to do it when I turn 50 this year. So I will try my best to get it done in my 50th year. Not sure what all it involves but am gonna do try it unless I have to save a little longer to have the money to do it. But I will do it before I die.. I have always wanted to be in the pit on the barrier at a rock concert. Well I did it when I was 48. At an Iron Maiden concert. It was awesome. I called my oldest son after the concert and told him what I did and he was like mom…….you must of been squished. And I was like hell yeah, having a thousand people behind you and squishing you up against the barrier was a rush I always wanted to do. Last year got to go to Iron Maiden and Alice Cooper. We were in the pit there to and it was great. I had wanted to see Alice Cooper since I was 13. At 48 I finally did. I want to meet Sean and Norman. Well that is gonna happen to in March at a Con in Nashville. Yes I want to live , and I am gonna have fun doing it. May it be goals or things on my bucket list. The scary thing is I am truly scared to not have and set goals in my life. I feel if I stop having goals and dreams, then I will die. But as long as I have goals and dreams I will keep living.
Thank you Sean for this blog.
Blessed Be,
Tami R
Living forever would be lonely. Everyone else would eventually die. Or you’d get on each other’s nerves. I mean, come on. But, I think you die twice. Once when you stop breathing and your heart doesn’t beat any longer and the second when no one else remembers you. Shakespeare immortalized a woman he knew with sonnet 18.
“Nor shall death brag thou wander’st in his shade,
When in eternal lines to time thou grow’st,
So long as men can breathe, or eyes can see,
So long lives this,
and this gives life to thee.”
No one will ever forget her. She lives forever in his words. No one could ever forget her. I’m scared I’m going to die and be forgotten. I haven’t done anything with my life. I’m only 16 years old, but I feel like that isn’t an excuse. You inspire me to do something with my life. I just don’t know what, yet.
I really can’t tell you how much you have inspired me. I had all but given up on everything until I found your blog. Now, I’m excited and optimistic! Your latest post was just as uplifting as the last one! You really are an incredible person. Thank you so much for believing in me. It truly means the world.
I’m sure you’ve heard it before, but you would be a great motivational speaker or even could write a motivational book. You are so positive and what you have to say bears a gravity that sits deep inside long after the words are read. You have this great light and have inspired so many people that it actually makes me teary eyed that there are still wonderful people like you still in this world. That light should be shared on a higher level and I believe you could do it.
I just want to add to the hundreds of people who have already told you this and that is to say Thanks.
It’s not everyday that you find someone like you, to take an interest in people like us. And I love your Q&A’s on Twitter. Please don’t ever change.
You´re like the living epitome of good life-guiding quotes, even in acting, “Deeds, not words”. Nice to see that you “toss the egg”.
Egg scene: 3:20 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nPpbDL00tq4
Cher Sean ,
Je ne sais pas si vous parlez et lisez le français. Je préfère écrire dans cette langue , car hélas mon anglais est pauvre ! Même si j’arrive à le comprendre a little !
Il n’y a pas si longtemps , en France , une chaine de TV a eu la bonne idée de repasser les aventures du Jeune Indiana Jones ! J’ai eu la joie de vous revoir , car nous vous avions perdu de vu !
Cela m’a fait revenir à 20 ans en arrière !
Dieu , que les années passent vite !
J’ai lu votre blog que j’ai essayé de traduire (essayer !) .
Sincèrement j’adore ce que vous écrivez ! Vous êtes plein de bon sens et surtout vous avez vraiment la foi ! Chose que je n’ai plu depuis bien longtemps !
Je viendrai de temps à autres sur votre blog et j’essaierai la prochaine fois de vous écrire en anglais !
Nous sommes en janvier et il parait que nous avons tout le mois pour souhaiter les Voeux !
Cher Sean, je vous souhaite une belle et heureuse année 2013 ! Que celle-ci vous apporte beaucoup de joies, bonheurs et santé !
Que Dieu vous garde !
This entry deserves so much more than a quick comment here. I keep thinking about what you’ve said and his tells me I have enough thoughts to fill a post of my own. I like that…a lot.
Thank you.
Sean, I’m sure you get this a lot, but you are so incredibly inspiring. I love everything about this blog entry as well as previous ones! Lately, I’ve been lacking the motivation to get out there and continue kicking butt and working hard, but this has really inspired me and given me the kick that I think I needed! Thank you so much and keep up the good work!
I am in awe of your words regarding one of the biggest tragedies in life. I am a recent single mom as the father of my two wonderful children recently passed of liver disease at the young age of 44,a life long illness. He was an amazing man and father. I am now left to raise two young adults with the same values that together we worked very hard to instill in our kids. Your words are just the reminder I needed that I am doing the right thing and no matter how hard it gets I must continue to teach them good values, compassion and drive. In turn we will live forever in them. Thank you.
it’s a beautiful thing to read the true and heartfelt words on this blog. it really means so much to me to know there are many, many people out there getting motivated again and becoming the change that’s needed in their own lives & in this world. all because someone took a risk to care, to change lives. thank you Sean, and thanks to everyone who has shared their story and decided to go out and kick life in the….. you know. i’m sticking with it and making progress. feeling hopeful and energetic. hope you all are too.
So, I have read this multiple times by now and today I went to take a nap and all I could think was I should be doing more and that I was lazy for napping. Worst nap ever lol-From now on I am just going to push through the day and continue on with my goals…
I used to be a go getter, but living with who I chose in life has sucked the will to do anything worthwhile out of me. I know this sounds like an excuse, but if I go to the gym he says ,”who you trying to impress?” When I tell him I just want to be happy about who I am, it goes unbelieved. I love your blogs and I so dream to be someone other than what I have become. Maybe someday I will be stong enough to make this decision.
Jeanette:
No matter how much life sucks the will out of you, you must continue to push forward through times like these. Like you, I have been unemployed for 3 years now. Despite having a mental condition, I don’t currently qualify for Medicaid. Someone else is currently spending close to $5000 on my medical bills and that doesn’t include a physician or the eye care that I so desperately need. I also have no chance of getting off of the medications that I am currently on.
What I am doing though is moving forward. I am still applying for jobs and I am working with a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor to resolve my employment issue. There are absolutely ways that you can take hold of this situation and rather than hope that one day you’ll have the strength to make that decision, I guarantee you that you already do. You just have to make it. It may be painful, it may be hard, but we still make those decisions every day.
You’re also not just thinking about yourself in this situation. You have a beautiful daughter and some amazing pets. You can do this.
Whenever I am down, I just remember this quote from one of my idols:
“Around here, however, we don’t look backwards for very long. We keep moving forward, opening up new doors and doing new things… and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.”
–Walt Disney
Jeanette,
It made me sad to read your comment. As one who is still single at 41, I have to say at times I get lonely but I would rather be single than with the wrong person. I still believe one day I will meet the right person for me. Maybe you need to make a new choice and decide you deserve better and either change or end this relationship that is making you feel so badly. You state that you “chose” this relationship, so make new, positive choices. There is so much joy and opportunities out there if you just decide that you deserve more. It’s your decision and you are the only one who can make choices to change your life. Good luck!
Do I want to live forever? No. Do I want to die leaving a mark on the world? No. Do I want to die knowing I’ve wrung every drop possible out of the life I’ve been given? YES. So far I have failed miserably. But I made a promise on your previous blog and I’m going to do my damndest to stick to that promise. But it’s funny. Reading the comments prior to the one I’m writing I see something we write but very few other people realise. Those of us who’ve had adversity in our lives when we sit down & think about it; it’s given something in return. The adversity in my life died on Valentines Day 2007. Before I could really assemble that my husband was diagnosed with the same cancer that had killed my Father. There is no getting around the fact that Life’s a Bitch sometimes. On a trip home from his doctors which was an hour & a half each way one day we were listening to our favourite band singing along as we always did. From nowhere we both started bawling our eyes out. I pulled over & we just held each other as my husband said over & over “why”. The simple answer & the one I gave him is this “God knows we can take it”. We, who live through domestic violence, job loss, bullying, medical problems, death & more. We who live through that & come out the other side are stronger & better for it. We just have to find out what we’ve been gifted with in return. My gift from my adversity in life is this: strength. Not physical strength but emotional strength. It gets me out of bed when I just want to wallow. It gets me to work when I’m being bullied & picked on for being chosen to supervise over others more qualified. It gets me through the continued side effects of my husband’s cancer. It gets me through the most God damn awful days. Now I need to apply that strength to myself, I need to put myself 1st. To wring every drop out of however many remaining years I have left in my life. Me, myself & I. We 3 are 1st from now on, I’m applying my strength to the promise I made to you – and to myself & I’m not backing down!
I get what you mean. Not literally living forever but creating something that will. Like Elvis Presley and his music. Right?
I’ve read a few of the posts from followers, and I realize they are in general all positive, full of hope, and showing how people have overcome their obstacles. I wish I could say I am one of them. After two years of unemployment, 18 months of being paid then 6 months on welfare, I have just recently secured a part-time job. Great. I’m working, for minimum wage. I have no car, thus relying on the bus system which is actually taking a toll on my body. I lost my apartment last August, and my “best” friend allowed me, my daughter, my dog, and my ferrets to move in with her family. This is now January, and I feel as though I am a prisoner in the house, living in an abusive relationship. My daughter feels bullied by the adults in the house. My ferrets are isolated and not allowed free roaming as they have before.
What exactly do I do to change this? I’m working. I’m looking for more work. What the hell am I doing to deserve this crap life? What is my dream? To write. I have a story in the works, but when do I have time to write when I’m working, walking to get to work or the grocery store, or refereeing the battles between my daughter and my no-longer-a-friend friend just so I can keep a roof over our heads? I would love to finish my novel, and maybe look to getting it published, but right now, I need to find a home, a safe home, and a full-time job…or better yet…does anyone have the winning lottery numbers?
Keep your head up, Barbara. The phrase “it’s always darkest before the dawn” is one that I always think of when I’m in bad or stressful situations. From what it sounds like, this could be your rock bottom so at this point, the most probable place you’ll be going is up. As for writing, just squeeze it in he never you can. Carry around a little notebook everywhere you go so that way you can write down ideas for your novel and then when you get enough time to write you have ideas right there. Just know you’re supported. 🙂
If anyone gets the whole life is what you make of it motto it’s me. Having 20 plus operations for things outside of anyone’s control or understanding I’ve learned to accept and roll with the punches. My attitude helps me get through every day because I choose NOT to feel sorry for myself. All of my surgeries have helped make me into the laughable fun loving tough ass person I am. And personally call it concieted but I love who I am. I never use my disabilities as an excuse and never will. It may take me longer and it may not be done the way you would do it but it will get done. By me. If you spend everyday saying why me you’ll miss out on a lot in life. I wake up every morning and say why not me. I can handle what ever you throw at me because in every bad thing that happens to me something good is hidden in it. You Sean are truly an inspiration. A no bullshit way of telling people get up and live. Thank you.
Hello twempirians I know that most of you get the comments to your email so I thought I’d try! Sean is up for a Shorty Award for #SocialFitness if you could please vote for him just tweet “I nominate @seanflanery for #SoocialFitness because… (Add comment)” that’s all you have to do! Thanks for your time!
Now this is fantastic!! I just saw that this was posted 10 days ago…I always see and read these blogs within the first day. How did I miss this one?? I think I missed it because I wasn’t meant to read it until this moment. The last ten days for me have been filled with a self-motivation that I haven’t felt in years. So now, this blog feels like the vocalization of everything that I have felt during this past week. Dang, I love synchronicity!! If I had seen this when you first posted it, I would have read your words, known they were true, but not felt them. This is the damn barrier I have been fighting with for almost 4 years now, when I first started having severe depression. For me, the depression is absolute, complete disconnection. When I’m in that state, I KNOW what actions would be good for me, I read and hear things that I KNOW are the truth…I just can’t bring myself to FRIGGIN’ CARE. I can’t even begin to describe how frustrating and soul-destroying that is, especially when I’m always aware of that bubbly, “talk-so-much-you-have-to-tell-me-to-stop” person I was, say, 6 years ago, when I was 20. That’s the person I definitely lost, but am slowly, slowly coming back to find again. I’ve been having bright patches lately, but this week finally felt like a damn breakthrough. How the heck it happened, I don’t know. I just felt that surge I used to feel, when everything clicks…the “Vortex”, for any fellow Abraham-Hicks/Law of Attraction people out there. I work full-time as a caregiver, and I also go to school full-time. I’m working on an International Affairs degree, with a focus on Africa/Middle East and French. My end goal, my definitive plan, is to work for UNICEF. This week, the first week of spring semester, I attended all of my classes, worked 36 hours, attended 3 meetings, completed all of my homework, logged 200+ commuting miles in my car, and still managed to have dinner with a friend. At those meetings, I began the application processes for two more goals of mine…attending a global seminar and participating in Model UN. I’m finally taking the physical steps necessary to attain these, because, like you said, “NO change will ever be realized without a definitive plan for actually realizing that change”. I’m working on my application for a community development and social justice program in South Africa, and I’m beginning to compete for a spot at the Model UN Conference in New York City. Now all of that, THAT is the power of motivation!! I didn’t realize how much I missed that feeling until now! Thank you, Sean, for using your voice and platform to instill it in other people. And I hope it isn’t too fleeting for me, but as anyone with depression knows, it always seems to be an ongoing struggle. There may always be days of regression. To help a bit, I added a motivational sign to my bedroom door (another product of this week). It says: “Continuez!! Pensez à l’Afrique et UNICEF! Gardez votre calm et persévérez.” In my line of work, I help people who have limited mobility and deteriorating mental functions. It’s such a blessing to know them and count them as family. I pick up hospice shifts and watch them pass on. While I’m helping them transition, they’re helping ME transition! They’re my daily reminder of the fragility of life, and the briefness of it all. They motivate me to achieve, but also, when I listen to their stories, they remind me to enjoy the small moments. We need relationships with other people, because their experiences help to facilitate our own introspection. That’s what this blog achieves! It helps to have a place to prod each other a bit, and pass around encouragement. 🙂
Hey Sean! Ive always wallowed in self pity…but ive always masked it by a sense of humor. People always asked me why i was never sad or anything an i lied an told them i was as happy as i could ever be with a big grin or a smile. But inside…my entire existence seemed pointless…seemed worthless…a stormed raged inside me…but day after i just…i lost myself more an more…then i met someone. I started making goals an plans an i lost 20 lbs even though she liked my somewhat chubby exterior. Then i found your blog an it helped even more. But some people need more than goals…they might need someone beside them…not to hold their hand but to catch them when they might fall…all in all…i got 2. An you an this girl have helped me be able to enjoy smilling an having a sense of humor again…an also to love being to love. Its an amazing feeling. Your the best Sean ive never personally knew! Thx again! GO BOONDOCK SAINTS!
Hi Sean, I am a new follower and I want to thank you for your beautiful words. They helped me and made me realize that “I can”. I am a 23 years old girl, I live in a small city in Calabria, Italy, and even if you’re distant, you are very close to my heart. In the last 6 months I felt very lonely and depressed, I avoided suicide only for my parents. My boyfriend went to work in Rome and we can’t see each other, I have no friends because I have problems to socialize. I love my boyfriend but I think I am losing him cause of the distance. Your words made me realize that I can prevent this from happening, I can change my mind and feel good again, as I was. I can find new friends and I can make my life a better one! The only way to be happy is to smile and be happy, then I smile 🙂 thanks for being there!
Ps: huge fan of the BDS
I think what Sean is saying is that your life is what you make it. Things aren’t just going to happen to you, you have to MAKE things happen. If you aren’t happy about your life then get up and do something about it! Nothing worthwhile ever comes easy-you have to work for it.
Twitter name; @StormHail
My friends told be to believe, They took the mick out of me for me believing in god,i was once told, that when life knocks you down you have to get back up and dust yourself off, i did that and i continue to believ in god no matter what my friends say, i read your blogs and see all the insperational things you write about, you and your words of wisdom have helped me realise i can follow my dreams no matter if they are big or small, one day i wish you shake your hand and thankyou in person. once again thankyou and god bless xx Twitter name: @bleep98 xx
A year and a half ago I had quit smoking… I gained a lot of weight from it and the weight ruined a relationship…. 7 months after I quit smoking I started again. My goal is to lose thirty pounds or so and get my body in a healthy fit state in preferably six months. Once I get myself into more of a work out routine where it is more natural for me to go to the gym and not seem like such an inconvenience I want to quit smoking again but this time for good.
G’day Sean – Your words have supplied me with the kick in the arse that I so badly needed. Over the past few months I have gotten myself back into the routine of an early morning run and have managed to fit in a swim most nights. It was hard at first but now I love it again. I have always eaten fairly well but with a few dietary changes, I am now back in my healthy weight range and am only 2kgs from my goal weight. My husband works in Africa and is away for 6 weeks at a time, he can really notice difference each time he comes home, he is ex military and has always been in great shape, now when he’s home we run together. I think he struggles to keep up with me now, not that he would ever admit it. Your a champion, Cheers
I have procrastinated this far too long 🙁 after beating stage 5 cancer in 1992, I did amazing at proclaiming to do things that were right-meaning take better care of me by eating right, juicing daily, spending weekends at the beach walking & riding my bike(those ard the things that I enjoy & find relaxing). All fell into place until I spent the first 10 years back in the field; I slowly began allowing myself to unconsentingly begin to start back at being a workaholic & spent more & more time taking care of clients & overtraining. All of the self care slowly began to disapate & before I knew it I was starting to develop vicarious trauma ( to those who are unaware of this type of trauma, I work in the field of child sec abuse & exploitation; this is where joy start to feel the pain of your clients abuse & fail to detach yourself from the emotion involved).
After reading your blog Sean, I want to thank you for your compassion & gift to reach out tithe phblic:)))
At this time I am going to take back my life & start again at taking care of me! I am going to start juicing & eating right again. I am going to start off by spending at least one weekend a month at the coast just doing what I want to do. I am going to start leaving work during lunchtime & clocking out at quiting time.
Hell yes, I want eternal life as you’ve described it! I’ve found my special skill set. I’m constantly honing it. And someday I WILL display it and let the world around me know how proud of it I am. I discovered I have a good eye for photography, landscape photography to be precise. Am I making a career out of it? No, but am I passionate about it? YES. As far as the rest of my life goes… I. Am. In. Control. And I will endeavor to take your advice and not hesitate to kick it in the uprights when necessary. <–Great advice!! 🙂
Hey Sean, I’m new here but have been a fan of yours for a while. Your words bring me hope. I cry whenever i hear the lyrics to Creep by Radiohead as it seems to have been written for me. As a child I never believed in the mean things that people said to me. And then as I hit my teens, I “believed” they were right. I am now almost mid-40’s and I have become afraid to try anything. Indeed I’m a loser. I don’t know where to start. My heart, my mind…”I wish I was special and what AM I doing here-I don’t belong here”. I have tried to find my “gift” to the world. I can only say, that my uniqueness is my sense of humor. Love this site and will follow until the end and shine until tomorrow. dawn
I’m gonna kick life straight in the balls!! Why? Because life is always throwing me challenging obstacles that seem impossible to deal with at times. But as I am learning, life will never throw anything at me I can’t handle. its all just apart of making me strong and making me who I am. I have recently discovered some things about me, and I am finally ready to except it what it is and I can only embrace it. Sean your words amaze me with how powerful they are. They obviously affect every person that’s willing to really listen to you. I have learned so much already and I can’t wait to keep learning. I look forward to your next posts thanks again and a million more times:)
Shannon
I guess this might be stupid to say but how do you make a plan if you don’t know where you want to go?
Personally speaking, I wouldn’t mind ‘living forever’. When I think of all the University degrees I could obtain, wow! Become a Phd. several times over, to have thousands of sunrises and sunsets,
See the beauty of this earth, make people happy, write endless songs., more pets to love, watch the earth go through its changes, explore it in the helicopter or whatever I’ve learned to fly, paint all the hundreds of paintings still in my mind. Then eventually create an electronic friend or husband that had A.I. To live on with me…….this sounds like a good novel that I should write…..hmmmmm.
Yes, living forever until the earth dies would be. Fabulous.
Then I’m ready for my after life and go on from there.
I love life here on Earth and have had a fantastic time on it so far. I just want to continue. I’d finally have enough days to do it all.
Reading this I’m reminded of a story called “The Cow-Tail Switch.” It’s a folk story from Africa that revolves around a family. In the story there is a mother, father, and 3 boys. The father dies not to long after the youngest boy is born. As the boys grow older, the youngest boy asks his mother about their dad because he never got the chance to know him. The mother and the 2 older boys tell the youngest about him. One of the things that they mentioned was that he was buried with his prize possession, a cow-tail switch. The boys and their mother (using magic) brought the father back to life because the youngest of the 3 wanted to meet him and get a chance to know his father. When he came back to life he was thankful to his family; however, he gave his prize possession to the youngest boy, because if it wasn’t for him trying to remember his dad and wanting to know his dad, the dad would have never been able to come back. The moral of course being that no one is truly dead as long as they are remembered. There are a great number of famous people that will be remember forever and will continue to touch the lives and hearts of people around the world. But you don’t have to be famous to live on forever. My father died 2 years ago, my god-mother a few years before that, as well as my great-uncle and aunt. There are other members of my family that I’ve lost that I barely remember because I was so little when they died (like my great-grandmother and one of my great-grandfather’s). My Dad’s mom died while my dad was in Vietnam and although I’ve never met her, and never new anything about her, I try to imagine what she was like. These people weren’t famous but they will still live on forever in my memories and in the memories I pass down through my family. Living forever is about a legacy of love, connecting to world around you and touching people’s lives. In a literal sense no I don’t want to live forever. There’s a pain in that I couldn’t imagine. I’ve lost enough people in my life already and I know I will continue to lose people, that’s part of life. I can only hope that I am a good enough person to the world, and a good enough mother to my children that they will share my stories with their grand-children (and maybe great-grand-children) long after I’m gone.
You are such a thoughtful, motivational human being.
When I look at all of your blog entries… I can’t really pick one in particular…there are so many helpful quotes, so much to think about.
And in addition all the lessons you give us on Twitter…
I know you only wanted to put the story of Jane Two out there and I still desperately hope you’ll release The Boudin Heirloom one day to read more Grandaddy and your family history…
…. but you should really think about writing a third book ‘Shine Until Tomorrow’. Some kind of philosophical book, a companion for life.
Because of you I read the ‘12 Rules of Life’ and while reading I was thinking: Sean should also write a philosophical book one time.
Kind of an essay with all of your thoughts about life in book form… that is something I would love to read…
Everything you’re writing is my bottle of water when I’m thirsty.
You are such a thoughtful, motivational human being.
When I look at all of your blog entries… I can’t really pick one in particular…there are so many helpful quotes, so much to think about.
And in addition all the lessons you give us on Twitter…
I know you only wanted to put the story of Jane Two out there and I still desperately hope you’ll release The Boudin Heirloom one day to read more Grandaddy and your family history…
…. but you should really think about writing a third book ‘Shine Until Tomorrow’. Some kind of philosophical book, a companion for life.
Because of you I read the ‘12 Rules of Life’ and while reading I was thinking: Sean should also write a philosophical book one time.
Kind of an essay with all of your thoughts about life in book form… that is something I would love to read…
Everything you’re writing is my bottle of water when I’m thirsty.
Why thank you… !