I’ve been a bit busy filming the last couple months, so I’ve decided to update an old idea and share it… with a wonderful little insight into our own future that will allow you to kill “worry”, with malice!! -Sean Patrick Flanery
It’s time to make a choice.
Devolution, The “LIFE” doctrine, and The “RESPONSIBILITY” decree.
“Every creature is better alive than dead, men and moose and pine trees, and he who understands it aright will rather preserve it’s life than destroy it”. -Henry David Thoreau
Personal responsibility lives and breeds in our own backyards… with a little sunshine and water.
There is an element of choice that lies at the core of our existence. And the degree of delicacy that we hold life is perhaps the most defining quality of our kind. The height of hypocrisy is to promote the destruction of our own life while claiming to promote life’s extension everywhere else. Every single thing we do today will either speed deaths walk, or slow it down. We all have a choice, and it’s time to choose. For the earth is all we know, and we must pay to play the human way.
There’s a very good reason that the proper protocol and safety procedure on all airlines requires the adult to put the oxygen mask on himself before assisting the child. Because if the caregiver dies, the care receiver dies. So, don’t even mention a “carbon footprint” if you’re not taking care of your OWN footprint. -Sean Patrick Flanery
The future doesn’t change men… it unmasks them.
“A person will sometimes devote all his life to the development of one single part of his body – the wishbone.” -Robert Frost
SO, repeat after me: “I will sink, I will swim, or I will go down with the ship. But I will use my freedom of choice. The blaming of my condition on others or my circumstances ends today. Today, I take complete responsibility for my life and it’s progress… or it’s demise.”
And for those swimmers out there, find a mirror, look yourself in the eyes, and make yourself this promise every morning when you wake:
“I pledge allegiance to the health of this wondrous jewel that is my body. One instrument, under God, that every positive act I intend to contribute to this world is necessary for, and without which, the provisions of love, knowledge, and good will I have allocated for others will vanish into the ether. I will take paramount care of the one solitary vessel that I have been given with which every single valuable & transferable gift I have for others must pass through. For the good of life, my loved ones and my legacy, this I promise. Today, I choose life. For I acknowledge that a healthy life is a much more magnificent monument than a cathedral.”
I KNOW OF NO PAIN SO GREAT THAT I WOULD EXCHANGE EVEN EXISTENCE FOR ITS REMOVAL. TRAINING HURTS BUT IT PROLONGS LIFE, SO BRING THE PAIN.
Choose your own direction… or let a direction choose you. -Sean Patrick Flanery
“A victim of collision on the open sea. Nobody ever said life was free. Sink, swim, go down with the ship, but use your freedom of choice.”
“In ancient Rome, there was a poem, about a dog who found two bones. He picked at one. He licked the other. He ran in circles until he dropped dead.”
“Freedom of choice is what you’ve got. Then when you’ve got it, you don’t want it. It seems to be the rule of thumb. Don’t be trapped by what you see, you’ve got two ways to go. Freedom of choice is what you’ve got. Freedom FROM choice is what you want.”
“I’ll say it again in the land of the free… use your freedom of choice.” -DEVO
“A MAN SOONER OR LATER DISCOVERS THAT HE IS THE MASTER-GARDNER OF HIS SOUL, THE DIRECTOR OF HIS LIFE.” -JAMES ALLEN
So? Tell me, are you responsible? Are you willing to let go of the story titled “It’s not my fault”? If so, then I’ve got a wonderful surprise for you: You will NEVER again have to worry about what the future holds for you… because you’ve now discovered who holds your future. -Sean Patrick Flanery
After all, are we not men?
Good night, God bless, and SHINE… until tomorrow.
-Sean Patrick Flanery
Wonderful! I absolutely love your blog! Lots of love and God Bless Sean! x
Everyone needs to read this. Placing blame on other people for your own difficulties in life is a chronic and addictive problem. It’s brushing off blame and guilt onto something or someone else so you can supposedly rest easier at night. I was once there but I’m not anymore. I’ve learned that once you start taking responsibility and taking care of yourself that you ultimately become a happier person. Another delicious recipe for happiness, Sean! Thank you! XOXOXO
Sean
So it’s been 8 days since I’ve put any crap in my body. No pop especially! MAS Bjj is the best and Jeff my instructor pushes me everyday. I go every day and my goal is to loose all this extra weight and get my blue belt. I know I will do it. You and Jeff are the only people who have truly believed in me and I won’t let you, him or myself down.
Love ya xx
Breesie
Thank you. I already decided that I’m gonna “swim”! I don’t care if it’s against “stormy seas” or against negativity! I am determined to be the navigator of my own ship from this moment forward. I’ve only got the one God-given body, and from this moment on, I intend to take care of it, the way I should have a long time ago!!! I’m just ashamed that it took me so long to realize that being seriously overweight has done too much damage to my own self esteem and health before doing something about it; because I deserve better than that for myself! So, thank you Sean, for all that you do to encourage and guide us into taking charge of our health and lives!!!! Peace, love, and God’s Grace to you, sir!!!
Go, Judy, GO!!!
Better late than never, right? 🙂
This is one of the most influential blogs, I have ever had the honor of reading. Life is always made up of choices, right and wrong, and we all know what we need in order to strive and go forward, instead of going backwards. I felt really good today, almost reaching my goal weight is my main goal, besides graduating college and making some extra money by cutting meat at the Shaw’s Deli. It’s taking a long time, but I finally realized that after a long time of BDM and making the wrong choices for myself, I have now finally found out what i want for myself and what I need in order to make myself better and happy. I take full blame on how my life has turned out thus far, I know my mother mostly blames herself for my weight problems, always has and when i told her it wasn’t neither of us could stop crying. I’m proud of myself though, to finally say that I know what’s best for me, and for my life. We grow stronger everyday and become more beautiful with all the right choices we make. I’m beautiful now, cause I’m creating a better me, and a better life. I only live once…and as someone once said…it’s the most precious gift anyone could ever get.
Hey Sean! Yanno missed your blogs, but glad to see you haven’t fallen off the face of the planet. Was hoping to see you at the convention in Chicago but I figured you were probably working on some awesome stuff *claps* The past couple of months I really started to look at myself and realize that I wasn’t happy so I began to make little changes here and there and it is an amazing feeling what begins to show! I turned 30 in January and decided that living like I was in my early twenties was enough and began to straighten myself up. I did quit school but since quitting school I have started to really work on things at home that I’ve been neglecting and putting in the corner and they just kept building. I’ve also FINALLY began to work on my book and started to really come into my own realizing that the things that happened when I was a teenager really had no more power over me and letting them go has made me feel alive. I also started to change my diet habits and exercise and I have in the past two months went from 347 to 335 and I continue to lose. Even just those few pounds have made me feel like I had more energy and just like a whole new person. I took responsibility for my own life finally. Sad it took Thirty years, but at least better late then never right. I hope all is well with you, hopefully next year if you are on the convention circuit I can show you the final product! Who knows if I keep down the track I’m going and get published I might even be joining you. God knows what the next half of this year will bring. Thank you always for your inspiration, blunt words. <3 You and so much respect to you always!
This reignited blog, enlightened my soul. Every day we all struggle with the choices that we have to make for moment one in the morning. Sean you have taught me through meeting you and through your blog, that there is no excuse that I will ever give myself that should keep me from doing my very best and hardest everyday. Between my health and my everyday life, each step is made with consequences in mind and drive in my heart. I can never thank you enough for helping me push myself everyday by merely being a person that strives to help others.
-CHELSEA @staabch1
Love it! After coming across your blog in Dec, I was inspired and decided to do just this…take control of my life and health. Just ran/walked my first 5K 3 weeks ago and have already registered for my next and plan on doing 2-3 others this year. I am so much happier with myself and exercise is such an important part of my day now, and I look forward to it! No more blaming how I was raised or genetics for my weight or body type….I’ve taking control of my future and it’s looking bright for me and my family! Thank you for your wonderful, inspiring words, Sean! I can’t wait to someday thank you in person.
Very well said Sean! Your dead on with this as usual. We definitely need to get your blogs out there to as many people as we can. They are soo very enlightening!! Thank you again for the words of wisdom and god bless! xoxo
Wonderfully put good sir. Thanks for the thought provoking entry.
I’m diggin’ the idea of the daily pledge, I can do that and really mean it. Your post reminded me of a Marilyn King Quote.
“If you have passion and vision but you do not take action, you are a daydreamer. If you have vision and action but you have no passion, you will be mediocre. If you have passion and you take action but you have no vision, you will achieve the wrong goal. But, if you have a clear vision, a passion for your goal and you take action your chances of success will be high.”
Got a juice crusher thngamajig this week. Kale juice with a bit of dandelion, swiss chard and a splash of apple taste’s frickin’ awesome. Who knew? I’m also liking the daily walk to the fruit market to get my daily greens. Never thought I’d consider a bushel of rapini as a score for snack food.
I choose life with true commitment rather than a compliance to see things through.
I’ve been thinking about getting a juicer… Pretty good stuff, huh?
I have a food dehydrator and dry fresh fruits, among other things, for my snacks during the week. I haven’t bought any sweets, like candies, etc in a REALLY long time. Soda-pop is also off my radar and I drink water about 95% of the time, I get my “cheat” on when I drink coffee on occasion. LOL
Invictus
Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.
In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.
Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find, me unafraid.
It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.
William Ernest Henley
awesome quote! precisely. BRING IT ON!
This was exactly the message my soul needed today. Thank you for reaching out with words of strength and encouragement. Our world is a beautiful place because of people like you.
As always I love reading your words of wisdom! And again I totally agree! It’s easy to pass blame! I hope part of my legacy with my children is teaching them that they are in charge of their behavior and how important it is to know how to do the right thing and know when you are making a bad choice. But I also insist they understand that even if they make a bad choice that they can’t look around and play the blame game. We are all responsible for where we end up and it’s up to us to make sure we end up where we ultimately want to be. I am constantly saying to them when they are faced with something “Who can control how this ends up?” And they know the answer is “I control how it ends up.” I really love reading your blog – you are a true inspiration and you inspire me to have my inner dialogue and remind myself I am worth something and that I have to remember to always practice what I preach – even if it’s hard sometimes. Thank you. — @witha_c
Here’s another quote that applies to life and it’s one of my favorites.
“I never saw a wild thing sorry for itself. A small bird will drop frozen dead from a bough without ever having felt sorry for itself.”
David Herbert Lawrence
We need to get over ourselves and push forward!
Time to stop the blame game, I will accept my faults and I will strive to make better of myself.
I do not blame a soul for my own choices. I know that reguardless how I choose to live; it is ultimately my choice on how I do so. People who blame others or circumstances hide or deflect from their own poor choices in life.
Yes, I AM responsible. And yes, I did ACTUALLY repeat after you. Out loud. Also, it just so happens there is a full size mirror just to my right… I’ve had a strong commitment to TRUTH for a good while now. Look hard at the mirror, the budget, that damn scale (Ha!), the plans for the future… Anything that would strip away any chance of self-delusion. Sometimes doing that is really hard and really, (really), emotional. But it’s worth it when I’m able to see HOW to take the next step in the RIGHT direction. You’re right Sean, it is very comforting to realize that taking responsibility IS taking your future into your our hands. I hadn’t seen that as the whole picture before. What a wonderful thing to have pointed out, thank you. “Training hurts but it prolongs life, so bring the pain.” YES. Bring that pain. I’m ready.
You are perfectly right again, Sean. Good and true words. And they look like your autotraining. Thank you for frankness.
At first, I found the concept and practice of “owning” my life to be difficult, on my ego and my soul. But now, it’s a habit. I’ve no fear of it now, and I very seldom have any hesitation in owning up to my less than stellar moments. Of course, there ARE times when I really don’t want to take responsibility, but then I tell myself, “If I slack off now, it’ll be a slippery slope and I’ll find myself back to embracing bad habits”. And when those moments occur that I have throw myself on the “alter of shame”, I definitely pay for it, so all I can do at that point is to accept the consequences.
In the end, I’m just trying to be a better person, both with my health and with myself in general. It’s allowing me to have a much more positive outlook on life. I feel better, my soul feels lighter and I smile and laugh even more than I did before my journey began.
“altar” not “alter”. Typos are a pet peeve… Haha
I have been walking for two weeks and eating really healthy. I physically feel better already. But, when I come back from walking…mentally I feel GREAT! Getting back in the game is the hard part. But, I am back. I think by the end of the summer I will have lost the 20 lbs I need to lose. I have missed your blogs, but really happy for you. Dexter is a great show. Looking forward to seeing what you will be up to on there. I have a new job too. Still working with dogs, but now I get to make them look pretty also. How is Donut? She sure seems like a sweet girl. Take care Sean. Have fun fliming.
Thanks again for your inspiring words, I always look forward to your advice. I have always been one to take the blame if I am at fault whether at work or personal like. I will not let others take the fall for me. A few months ago you had posted about health and we were having a biggest loser contest at work. I will be honest at first I was hesitant, but thanks to my mother and wonderful friends at work for support, I decided to do it. I just wanted to share my achievement because I dropped 6 sizes and at least 40 pounds. I didn’t think I could do it. So I want to thank you again for your encouraging words to all of us and for all of you out there like me who didn’t think it was possible…it really is and YOU CAN DO IT!!! Thanks again and take care.
I have PCOS. I’m 6 foot tall. I’ve never been thin, I remember standing on a scale in 5th grade crying (I was in ballet, tap, jazz, basketball, volleyball, you name it). I always blamed my condition or hereditary from my mom. I remember reading something a long time ago, in fact it was in December 2011, when you said enough with blaming others or a condition, it was time to step up and accept responsibility. At first I gasped, what? No Sean, some things people just can’t help, Oh no, he can’t mean it! Please do let this be true, Sean can’t be that mean! Then after the sting wore a little softer, it sunk in. You weren’t being mean, you were being honest, truthful, you were absolutely 100% CORRECT. I was justifying my overweight-ness by an excuse, yes I have PCOS, people with this trend (TEND) to carry excess weight in their midsection. Tend, not have to, not nothing they can do they are doomed for eternity to so go drown your sorrows in a pint of Hagen Daas. I engender this date of December 2011 because that was the day I accepted your fact driven statement because that is the time I turned my life around. I was puffing outside in the snow to keep up with my then 5yr old son, the son who’s father, no, sperm donor who terminated his parental rights to that left me & only me the only one to raise him. I fought to keep my son safe, I filedd for divorce when my son was 5 months old because I wanted to keep him safe from the guy I store in front of God &who I honestly thought I’d be with forever (I’m still a single mom because I chose to be, to focus on my son who is my world). I fought for him so I need to be alive & sick around for him. And because of you, Sean, I owe my life & my gratitude forever to YOU. YOU MADE ME REALIZE I CHOOSE TO BE WHO I AM. I choose to take control of my life, my weight, my actions. I started at 289lbs. Today I’m down 73lbs. Had it been easy? Heck no. Am I finished? Heck no! Am I healthier today then I was? HECK YES. So Thank you. Honestly from the bottom of my heart, my less-likely-to-give-out-on-me-heart. I no longer fat of turning into the chubby mom, crying while stuffing fries in my mouth mom who blames a medical label for how I love my life. Instead I’m a mom who gets out of bed & chokes down a healthy smoothie instead of pancakes & grits that drags get butt to BJJ class even though I’d much rather go back to bed. Why? For myself, for my son, because someone named Sean Patrick Flanery called my ass out and made me own up to the truth. Something no one else had the courage, or the care to do in my then 37yrs of existence. We’ve never met in person, but our twitter friendship& destiny of me reading your fabulous bliss, your words of enlightenment, honesty and integrity, forever changed my life. And my son’s. So again, I can’t say it enough, thank you. You’re my Muse, my role model, my driving force of change. Much love, respect & I truly am, forever grateful.
THIS is what I wanted to chat with you more about this past weekend in Vancouver! It was my first Expo type thing and didn’t want to hog you for too long but this is what I enjoy from you so much is your positive light!! I have been blessed with a positive light as well but have been struggling to hang onto it in recent years due to a severe post pardum depression. I literally yell out affirmations to fight the bad days. I am currently trying to find natural ways to get my thyroid etc..back on track. The anti-depressants I was taking contributed to a 40lb weight gain and I have been so discouraged in trying to get the weight off. I KNOW that I can. I need to feed my soul good messages and surround myself with people that do the same. I thank you for this and thank you for the lovely chat on Saturday 🙂 I am making plans to see you at an expo in January and my plan is to have the weight OFF for good!
Please excuse my bad grammar and wirting but englsh is a foreign language for me. Hopefully you can understand what I want to say.
I´m suffering of a very rare genetic disorder for about a year now and often felt that I do not have the choice to live my life the way I wanted to and after all planned to. 28 years everything was fine and then everything changed. The first couple of months I really had my problems with it, doubting if there is a sense left in life or something like that. I think this is quite normal, but when I think about it now, it´s just stupid. Life is wonderful and worth any minute I can spend here and “swimming against all ods” is definitly worth it. Half a year ago I changed most of my habits, starting going to the gym 4 days a week and to the softball-training twice a week (and here in germany this is really odd, because just a few people even know this wonderful sport). I wanted to spend the rest of my life meaningful and at the moment it feels the best when I do sports. I feel much better, lost 20 kilos and so changed inside and outside. Your blog is a real inspiration and I like it to read about other people having similar thoughts like my own. Thank you!
This seems to be an appropriate time for an update. I Started my journey to better health in early December, but Sean’s blog has been an amazing boost in external motivation. Proud to say that I’m down 37 lbs!! Feeling great, and getting stronger every trip to the gym. This community has been great, and I look forward to hearing other success updates.
Very inspirational.
People would find themselves greatly empowered if only they took the reigns of their own lives and steered themselves in the direction they wanted to go by making the right choices, not the easy ones. There’s a saying that goes something like “easy come, easy go.” That statement goes a long way for explaining the things in life that hold true value. Among these things are health and happiness.
Life is no great secret. It’s really driven by a few universal rules. How they can be so obscure is beyond me. So many people I know make bad decisions and live in an abyss of self-loathing and hopelessness caused by their own attitudes. They seek love in others, instead of learning to first love themselves, and try to plug up the “holes” in their existence by finding someONE or someTHING to make them happy. The sad, yet simple, truth, is that they are doing it all wrong. Until they find love for themselves, are content with who they are, and realize that they are already hole with what they’ve been given, then they will search endlessly and be unrequited. They wish for better and think negatively, rather than positively. Without a doubt, this is the wrong way to go.
The message you pass along is a wonderful one. I hope that it reaches many ears, and you continue to reach out to people as you do. It is, by far, not an easy task, but I think you do it well.
You’ve done it again – as always!! It’s even more inspiring to read now that I’ve actually made the commitment to myself. 4 months since I made my proclamation and I can tell you that it wasn’t short lived.. And I intend to keep it around. I’ve become good friends with my lifestyle changes.
Great way to start my morning! I look forward to seeing you in Dallas in 2 weeks!
The world we live in is the sit, wait, and complain kind. We sit and wait for things to happen and then complain when they don’t happen or that it is taking too long. I’ve heard ‘well I was going to go out and do this or that today, but it was raining. I fell asleep waiting for it to stop. Now I just feel so fat.’ I use to be that person!!! Now when I hear people saying crap like that it just makes me shake my head. The same people who say this stuff ask again and again how I am losing my weight. I tell them what I do and they respond with the well I don’t have… I stop them right there before they can say anymore. I tell them that first you have to decide to take back control of your life. You have to decide that you want to live longer and that excuses have to stop. Until you can look yourself in the mirror and say it’s my own fault I am like this. I did this, not joe, not mother nature, not inherited genes, but ME!…. Then you are ready. until you reach that point you will fail! I have had a lot of people get angry with me, but I am not sugar coating it anymore. Some have started to make changes and the others I still hear saying about how they started this or that BUT!!! I am so tired of that word. With that word comes excuses and I just have no time anymore for them. Some people use it in a positive way, but 99% of the time it is an excuse coming after it. My future is mine. The path I have chosen is not easy. There is a lot of debris I have to move out of the way to get where I want to go. I can’t sit and wait for it to clear itself because that will never happen. I had the choice of sit here and DIE or move forward and LIVE. I choose to LIVE!!! =D
I LOVE this blog. It is completely true and exactly what I needed to hear right now. Until this moment I was blaming my knee injury and last month’s surgery to repair it for not being able to exercise, for gaining back 13 of the 40 pounds I had lost, and for the frustration I am feeling. The truth is I let the injury disrupt my weight loss. I am letting it frustrate me. Right now i’m asking myself why didn’t I adjust my intake of calories or why I didn’t do more sit ups, and etc. The only only answer that makes sense is that I let my circumstance run the show instead of making sure I was still in charge.
Thank you for the needed wake up call. It’s so simple yet was oblivious to me until this morning.
Hugs, love, and well wishes to you Sean.
Awesome! I just pictured you typing this blog like Doogie Howser. Thank you SPF. You ROCK!
I agree with what you said. You make a valid point that we all have to take charge of the only real thing we have control of ourselves. I have made the decision last August to do just that. My teenage daughter and I had a huge fight and she basically said how can I tell her how to fix things when I don’t even try to fix myself. I have lost over 75lbs and choosing health of my mind and body. The weight is just a small part of this. I have avoided doctors for many issues my whole life. Monday I take care of a congenital heart defect that I have avoided for over 40 years. Making the decision to take charge of one’s destiny is scary and there are many hard choices. And everything seems to set out to make it easier to quit. Great blog Sean, makes great sense. You give me support on ideas that I feel but don’t always have the strength or courage to speak. Thank you.
Thank you, Sean. That’s all I can say. Just thank you 🙂
Good morning Mr. Flanery,
The relevance of this struck me to my core. It almost brought me to tears to be honest, but I’m at work & kept myself composed. (Which I know I should not be doing at work) I almost feel like I could not have read this at a more perfect time. I thank you for having no way of knowing how much I needed these words but sharing them anyway.
Ever since my now 19-year old son was a little jam-faced babe I’ve been telling him the one absolute truth I have in my possession, “The only two things you will ever control are your actions and reactions; those two things belong to you entirely.” And indeed, those two elements – the choices we make – are the words written on the backside of our book. Inner peace comes from acceptance of that fact; peace with the outside world comes from the discovery of the internal.
Contentment, however, is found in the balance between acceptance, acknowledgement and a fearless commitment to my best self.
Still swimming, Sean!! I printed out the pledge the last time you posted it to remind me to take care of myself so that I can take care of my family.
Running my first half-marathon in Nashville on Saturday!! Very excited about it! Reading your words gives me an extra boost. It’s supposed to rain Saturday, but I’ll enjoy it anyway!
Enjoyed meeting you in Nashville and hope that you can return sometime!
Love ya,
Diane @lynnwatson13
Once again you blow my mind, Sean. I love reading your blogs. You do a fabulous job, sir. Looking forward to hearing your truth in Dallas! =)
I could write you a book. But I am not going to do this here. I would love to write you an e-mail to tell you how you have inspired me in the last year to help me improve myself. Thank you for this last post! You are very inspiring! You make a lot of people think. I take responsibility for myself! I am who I am because the things I did not what anyone else has done! Thank you again!
Love this a lot. I have always been very responsible for me and my actions (good and bad). I’ve spent a lot of time trying to figure out why I was allowing myself to avoid doing the things I KNEW I needed to do to take care of myself. I took full responsibility for letting myself go; gaining weight and not exercising the way I used to thoroughly enjoy. I realized that I just had to get out of my own way. I still haven’t figured out “why”, but I’ve decided that why I WASN’T doing what I needed to do really isn’t important. I suppose time spent trying to figure out the “why” was just me procrastinating and making excuses for myself. Once I let go of “why”, things started falling into place for me. I’m very close to the short-term goal I posted about here at the beginning of the year (something I was VERY happy to be able to tell you about last month in Nashville). A woman at work (obviously blind as a bat as well as sweet) told me I was “looking skinny” today. I’m responsible for my happiness, but she really made me smile. So did you. Thanks. 🙂
No, I am not a man….but other than that I agree with you! It feels amazing to no longer be a blamer. I repeat a quote to myself on a regular basis “Sure, my parents screwed up my life, but all the real long term damage I’ve done to myself”. Once I really listened to that, it hit me much of my life I had wasted playing that game. My life has changed dramatically since that epiphany, freeing me up to create & explore.
Oh lord I pray that Sean, you, see this! So in S.S. class we are doing a “Create a City” project with everyone in the class. We are involving all the economical shit that is in a proper city and stuff like that yadda yadda yadda. Little do my friends and fellow classmates know, that the nice I somehow convinced everyone, (32) people to agree on is called “Twempire” dedicated to of course, you, Mr. Sean Patrick Flanery. I then explain it to everyone, and showed off my Flanery Twempire button suggesting that everyone should go sign up on Shineuntiltomorrow.com. I am REALLLLLYYY hoping EVERYONE signs up! So technically you have about 32 new Twemperians my good lord.
Love the best twemperian ever
Felicity
(@Nreedusforever twitter)
I am new to joining your blog but my wife has read to me your blogs before and I have enjoyed listening to what you have to say. I have to admit on the blogs that I have thus far heard or read myself that I have plenty of times said the same thing in regards to health and your own attitude towards life. So it is always nice to see a like minded individual. I do believe for everyone when a hardship comes along that they choose the flight or fight situation until they can learn how to just instead think “Okay this happened now what am I going to do to fix it.” After all life will go on either way. I find that these challenges help us to grow stronger and that what has helped me is to simply put it in prospective of what I am going to do to resolve the issue or problem. Not just sit and do nothing about it. I can admit my weakness being that I have fibro and it’s a daily struggle to try and manage the pain and stay positive each day. To force myself to eat when my desire to eat is gone. I attempt to stretch out and work out like I use to but I have to know my limitations and I know they will never be what they were before. I use to be a physical trainer, helping police academy cadets in my area get in shape and work out for their final exam. I use to do aerobics, kick boxing, cheer leading, dance, jog, ride bikes, karate etc. Although ironically especially when designing individually for people weight loss plans in the past and reading about your weight loss blog that people freaked out about I found it funny that since it’s hard to get myself to eat anything I still only weigh 130 being 5’6 and do not gain weight from not eating enough. But I suppose the point in this long rant is do you have any suggestions truly for someone that has severe fibro that isn’t controllable. Obviously your not a doctor so I am not asking for medicine advice. Yes, I have also attempted natural medication and worked out but no matter what I do when I feel good one day I will completely over do it and cannot figure out what my limit is till I hurt and then I am down for days. Any suggestions?
I am going to list more choices than that! I’m gonna either take over the boat that is still afloat, or make a raft and lasso a bird with rope and let it guide me to land. Then I will eat the bananas and coconuts and make a fort of which I will collect things that wash ashore and have conversations with them out of my loneliness….. Should I ever decide to leave my island I will take certain centimental items with me and cry out for them if we are separated by storm. I have decided that my will is not as great as God’s, so I will also use the tool of prayer and believe that I will receive an almighty answer. Yes the sea is ultimately calling me, neither slave nor free, she is in perfect harmony! I will choose to list my options, and think of the outcome at the same time…. To live free or die.
One sentence in particular, above all others, summed up your entire blog, at least for me. “Every single thing we do today will either speed deaths walk, or slow it down.” Profound words that gave me pause.
In the past month, I have seen how fast death can walk while at the same time, I have seen how the bastard can be slowed down. I have three friends that were impacted, three friends that I’ve known for many, many years.
The first was diagnosed with renal failure at the age of 49. He’s hoping to get healthy enough for a kidney transplant, if he lives long enough.
The second is one of my best friends. His blood sugar climbed to 1500, no typo, 1500 (I believe the normal is 100). His pancreas shut down, he spent a week in ICU and now he takes insulin. The doctor said he doesn’t know how he lived. Well I know, it was God, obviously. He’s much better now and back to teasing the hell out of me, which I allow him to get away with…..for now. He learned from that near death experience and he’s FINALLY taking responsibility and taking care of himself. He eats right, exercises and his pancreas is working again. Deaths walk slowed back to a crawl, thank God.
The third was a woman who never took care of herself. She never exercised, smoked too much for too many years and just never took responsibility for her health. She was 42 and died in her sleep a couple weeks ago.
All three didn’t take care of themselves and while I don’t know for certain, I can pretty safely assume their lifestyle impacted their health. I guess my reason for sharing this is, I hope if someone reads your words and doubts what you say, maybe by reading my comments they’ll realize you really do know what you’re talking about and maybe, just maybe, they’ll take your words to heart and become a member of the responsibility revolution. I have and I can tell you I’ve never been healthier in my life.
Hopefully I didn’t bum you out, that certainly was not my intention. Just know that your blogs always, without fail, speak directly to my heart and soul. It’s one of your many gifts, Sean. Truly. Your words are never lost on me. I read your words knowing they come from your heart and you have made a difference in this woman’s life.
As always, Sean……I thank you. God Bless.
Pretty words. And with the governments corrupting our food with GMO’s and Frankengrains to fatten us up, the eugenicists diabolical plan to eliminate us and the entertainment industry’s collusion to keep us all brainwashed with BS…yes it’s a wonderful world. Wake up people. I personally have had it up to (here) with the self help guru/avatar malarcky. It works for a moment. Yeah, love makes the world go round AND you too can better yourself by thinking it into existence. Crap. Love you Sean, but man, you need a better schtick. It’s all been said before, it’s gotten us really far, too., in fact after several thousand years look at just how far we’ve come…
Yes, clearly you are a little victim, and it’s “the man” who’s keeping you down. Certainly nothing is YOUR fault. Although, I understand why you feel this way… because you’ve been trying to “think” things into existence. You see, with MY plan, I actually want you to get up off the couch.
Touché Sean 😉
It is soooooooooooo easy to sit on your butt and think all the right things like “I need to lose weight” or “I really should get into shape”. But as long as it’s followed by “tomorrow”….nothing happens. Both you and I know it is a kliché, but from nothing comes nothing. Blaming the government for “fattening us up” is just a petty excuse for doing nothing. I’m not saying this just because I too have “seen the light” – but because it worries me that so many people out there seriousely belive that they are powerless to do anything. They give up without a fight, not realizing that the only real enemy they encounter is in fact themselves! You are what you think – and if you think you are powerless, you truly ARE powerless. Whenever I encounter people who just simply give up like that because it is…easier (?!?) i really want to shake them….because there is so MUCH MORE to life than sitting at home staring into the wall and feeling sorry for yourself “my life sucks and it is the others who did this to me! They are to blame! They… *sigh* they WHO? If your life sucks and you do not try to do something about it….You KNOW where I’m heading with this Sean…sorry for rambling….it’s just….comments like Mia’s trigger me, it frustrates me and upsets me when I encounter people who firmly believe nothing will ever change and it’s every one elses fault *sigh*
If you’re ready to sink I suggest you take off your lifejacket and be done with it, so that another more apt to survive can make use of it. You have an awareness of the poisons of the world-and they can certainly be disheartening if you continue to dwell in a toxic frame of mind. What I believe Sean is conveying is that being morose and displacing blame onto outside forces is not going to solve a thing for you; but, perhaps with some determination, energy and hard work, you can drive your own change. YOU can turn off the TV/computer/video games, YOU can control your consumption and consumerism and physical well being. For instance: I started doing hot yoga every day to detox my body, mind and soul; I ripped up the grassy lawn in my backyard and decided to create a fresh vegetable garden in its place (yes, it was a bitch and fucking hard, but entirely worth it); I adopted a couple of pups because I wanted to help animals; I work with victims of crime. Sure these things are not going to solve all (or any) of the world’s problems, but knowing that I am doing what I can to fulfill and balance my life is certainly not making the world any worse. I can also look at myself and say, ‘Yep, babe, I am flying high’. …ps…lay off Sean, obviously his “schtick” is benefitting a lot of people, as even a quick skim through the comments is testament to the same. Peace x 🙂
Well said @RummyK!
No…some of us are women. 🙂 I actually loved this cause it’s so true. We are the masters of our destiny. Others can offer inspiration and motivation, but it is up to us to do the moving and changing of our lives. I quit smoking 12 years ago not because some one told me i had to. But because I wanted to. Now if only I can lose weight just as easily. That’s a bad excuse…I know I can do it. I just need to get in that mind set of “YES I CAN” instead of using an ‘IF ONLY” excuse. Hope you have a great night. 🙂
I swear you post these at the exact moments that I need honesty and/or encouragement. As always this is wonderfully written and has my mind in reflection mode.
I am striving towards taking better care of myself physically and mentally. You have opened my eyes up blog after blog as to what I can do to make myself better. Last night in the midst of a “woe is me” moment I started contemplating things that were irreversible if followed through on. After much thought and self dramatics I realized that suicide would not fix anything. It wasnt going to make me happy, take the pain away. All it would do is leave everything in a pause. Me taking responsibility for my life(the good, bad and ugly parts) is the only thing that will fix my problems and lead me to a better place. I learned that from you and your words. Thank you so much Sean, you have no idea what you have done for me since I discovered these blogs.
If you’re ready to sink I suggest you take off your lifejacket and be done with it, so that another more apt to survive can make use of it. You have an awareness of the poisons of the world-and they can certainly be disheartening if you continue to dwell in a toxic frame of mind. What I believe Sean is conveying is that being morose and displacing blame onto outside forces is not going to solve a thing for you; but, perhaps with some determination, energy and hard work, you can drive your own change. YOU can turn off the TV/computer/video games, YOU can control your consumption and consumerism and physical well being. For instance: I started doing hot yoga every day to detox my body, mind and soul; I ripped up the grassy lawn in my backyard and decided to create a fresh vegetable garden in its place (yes, it was a bitch and fucking hard, but entirely worth it); I adopted a couple of pups because I wanted to help animals; I work with victims of crime. Sure these things are not going to solve all (or any) of the world’s problems, but knowing that I am doing what I can to fulfill and balance my life is certainly not making the world any worse. I can also look at myself and say, ‘Yep, babe, I am flying high’. …ps…lay off Sean, obviously his “schtick” is benefitting a lot of people, as even a quick skim through the comments is testament to the same. Peace x 🙂
Funny, I’ve been down on myself a lot the last few days because I have fallen of the wagon, so to speak, recently in my healthy eating/exercising. I’ve only lost about 5# since taking the pledge in December; although since taking up karate, I have gained a little more muscle than I had a few months ago. I don’t blame anyone other than myself, but this is a nice little prod to get up & get back to it.
Thanks Sean. 🙂
I wrote out the pledge twice. One I framed and have next to my bed so It’s the first thing I say in the morning and the other I put on my fridge to remind me throughout the day to choose life. Day two of applied commitment. No more daydreamin’ half ass-ery. It’s time for full ass-ery and it’s on! Goal one: 15 lbs so that I can get back on my exercise equipment without it crying.
Don’t know anymore… I give it a shot, it gets trampled on and thrown back in my face.. I make all the effort I can, but really have little to no support…I have faith, then I find out it was all BS, and just a stupid wish or dream… I am so very tired of swimming, but have run out of juice.. I barely stay afloat anymore… Weight has never been an issue for me, but certain types of substance abuse have.. I am tired… I am sitting here right now eating potato chips, staring at a 40 of gin, and drinking a glass of water. What is to stop me from opening up that bottle of gin? Who would know? Who the hell would even care? Would it fix anything? certainly not, but I would feel better for a few hours… But why not anyway? none of my efforts have EVER seemed to make a difference.. So why shouldn’t I just give in/up? I am asking seriously!!! Because I am ONE screw off cap away from saying fuck it, I quit trying! Sean you truly are awesome… I did stay off the drinks for quite awhile, then gave in a few weeks back, coz I got tired of explaining myself to people… I got tired of trying.. Tired of caring… Yup, I gave up.. Wanted to see you in Calgary, to thank you for your supportive words, but that was supposed to be my short term goal reward.. Well, bad behavior should never be rewarded… And life happened, so I can’t go anyway.. It is all for the best, I probably would have made an attempt to lie to you… to your face.. I am not a good liar.. Sorry to be a disappointment… I am just so tired anymore…
go ahead everyone, say whatever you need to, tell me then I guess that’s that, you gave up, good for you you feel sorry for yourself or whatever, coz I just don’t care anymore…
Peace
Earlier, I posted to this but it was more of a pity party tantrum.. thank GOD it didn’t post… I have been quite down lately… Sean, I did quit drinking but fell of the wagon a few weeks back, because I got tired of being my only listener.. I believe, when I posted earlier, I was sinking… Truth is, I am tired of trying… Tired of people saying I am full of BS, because I don’t need to quit drinking… Well I DID need to, and I can’t believe it was so easy for me to give them my sobriety… Calgary, was supposed to be my short term goal reward, but, I didn’t keep up my end of the deal… I can’t go anyway, because life just happens sometimes, but I guess I am glad.. I probably would have tried to lie to your face, and I would have FAILED at it!!!! I know this is the hardest part, making the necessary changes AND committing to them.. I shouldn’t need ANYONE’S approval, but am always looking for it… I guess my disappointment in myself is too great to face, and so that would be the reason I threw my tantrum earlier.. If I think I am no good, everyone else needs to also.. After I thought that it posted I immediately felt regret, so I frantically checked back to see if it was here, but it wasn’t…. PHEW! I need to learn to control my anger issues, and I think it is ok to be angry with myself, for failing, but to that degree, wasn’t going to help me at all… After I post this, I am going to get dressed, after all it is noon, and pour a coffee then go for a walk… The fresh air will do me some much needed good… Anyway, if that initial tantrum post does show up, please everyone accept my apologies in advance… I had no right to take my own issues out on other people…
PEACE
I always love reading your blogs. I have started making some small changes. Reading your blogs always makes me feel like a lazy fluff. I do know we are responsible for our health and our own destructive behavior. I have a person in my life that is constantly detrimental to my postive progression to well being. I will keep fighting the good fight though and hopefully by summers end I will have reached a personal goal I have recently set. I look forward to seeing more of your words of wisdom in the pursuit of a healthy life and happy living.
Perhaps it should’ve been the rule of wrist… So sorry I had to 🙂
Thank you Sean for your wise words, can’t wait to see you in Dallas!
Much love – Rae
Well, it was delayed, but it DID post.. Truly sorry everyone for that post RIGHT above my apology… Now I am embarrassed… Sorry Mr. Flanery, not trying to dirty up your blog…. Was just too angry to think straight…
This is one of the most raw, truthful, not to mention influential blogs I’ve ever had the pleasure of reading. Thank you for writing this for people like me. People who care. I love your work. Continue to shine bright and pursue your dreams! 🙂
Your right it is time for people to take responsibility for their own actions. Yes bad things happen to good people but you can just take it or get up and say no more. I have personably had a lot of messed up things happen in my life but I get up dust myself off and try to have a positive out look , you can learn from it or let it weigh you down. I choose to make the best of what I have because the only one who can change it is me.. Thank you for being a positive person
Inspirational and full of truth as always. I am continuing on my journey. I’m down more than 20 pounds! I was a very tight size 14 when I began and will soon be in a size 8! The 10’s I had to buy a while back are getting loose and I never thought I’d be able to do that, especially over at over 40 with three kids! I am expanding on my journey and trying something new. My trainer turned me on to LIMU and I love it! It has helped me to feel so much better and had help get rid of little nagging health issues. It has boosted my energy and weight loss! I want to share it with everyone, even if they don’t want to hear about it. It really is a golden ticket (financially and for heath)! I am going to continue on my journey and I want to everyone I can along. It is so worth the effort!
Sometimes, we all just need a swift kick in the shorts to get us motivated, to get us going. It’s so very easy to blame our misfortunes on other people, so easy to point a finger and cast blame, but what we don’t see are the four other fingers pointing back at ourselves. Life is a journey, and while it will be filled with battles and uphill climbs, the rewards at the other end are so worth it. These are the things I think about when I read your blog, Sean. So many just need one person to say “I care” that one person to say “you are good enough” or “you can do this”. Thank you, Sean, that for a lot of us, you are that one person 🙂 I may never get the chance to meet you in person, so for now I just want to say : thank you, as always, for your honesty, your words of wisdom & insight, and thank you – most of all – for taking the time to share them with all of us.
@elfwhims
Those who say it cannot be done, should stay out of the way of those who are doing it
Thank you for revisiting this topic! I’m committing to this pledge! I need this nudge so I don’t stay complacent in my life, I’m beginning to challenge myself and step out of my comfort zone thanks to your insightful blogs. I have many fears and phobias, within the past year I been taking control of my life back and honestly your blogs have been a blessing. If I could nominate you for a humanitarian award I would, your commitment, drive, tenacity and passion for others is infectious. Thank you for making me laugh, cry and being honest no matter how brutelly honest some make think.
One of my favorite quotes: “You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, ‘I have lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along.’ You must do the thing you think you cannot do.”
― Eleanor Roosevelt
Dear Sean!!! So glad to hear from you, been missing your posts!!! i really enjoyed reading this one, i truly believe we have to take care and love our bodies, it is the only one we have and it allows us to do the things we love (we look better and we feel better). The other day i read a quote and thought of you it said “a year from now you will wish you started today”, like you said it’s never too late to start working for the future. Like i promised to you and to myself last December i’m doing quite well reducing my sugar intake (more than half the usual intake), i feel less swollen (don’t know if it’s the correct term) and the best of all i don’t miss it, some days i even say “haven’t take any sugar at all” so happy about this!!! thank you so much for all the words of encouragement you give us, you’re amazing Sean. Much love to you, best wishes and till the next post <3
Dear Sean!! Thank you for these amazing words, always an inspiration to be and feel better!! so true what you said, we have to take care of ourselves, our body is the only one we have and it allows us to do so much, there’s no better way to say thanks 🙂 I wanted to shared that since las December i’m keeping my promise of reducing my sugar intake, and i’m doing pretty well (have reduced more than half), some days i don’t take any at all without even noticing!! i feel very happy with this!!! of course it’s a everyday work and i’ll keep doing it. Thank you for taking the time to do this, God bless you
WHAT? Take responsibility for our choices and blame our own faults and not others? You mean step up and out and lead our own lives? To think of the outcome of every choice we have and pick the choice that holds the future we want? Wow sir, you must be a dreamer and not a follower, no wonder you have so many admirers! So it’s a choice I make to be a better person and look for the good in others and take each day as a test of life. What good will I do today? A brief introspection each night to see that I’ve lead a good day is how I sleep at night. Sometimes I wake the next day and laugh at myself, having had been led by my thoughts that require some action in faith and to have followed myself through is to be led by love.
Today I take a big step, tomorrow will hold the outcome. Today I am strong, tomorrow I’ll be even stronger. I am Kari Goodheart, I choose the higher path of wisdom and strength. It’s a freedom of choice, it’s a freedom worth defending, no wonder men and women have stood for, fought and died for this most valuable gift of god given life!
I think I can sum up this blog in only three words. The moral of this blog is, “Get a life!”
Very inspiring Sean. I hope that many could take to heart these well articulated words. we’ve become a society so intent in our pursuit of excess. Whether it is what we put into our bodies, the things we acquire and fill up our homes with, the latest technology; we all want to get “ours.” A world grown far too comfortable in our over blown sense of entitlement.
Yet, the world is full of unhappy people desperate to feel whole and not understanding why they cannot fill up all those empty spaces inside.
but it’s a pretty simple concept: What You Feed — Will Grow.
If we “filled up” with quality, over quantity, what a different world it would be for many.
I’ve been doing a lot of thinking lately and I’ve come to the conclusion that I have no patience or sympathy for people that refuse to live their lives. My life may not be amazing but I refuse to roll over and accept that I will never amount to anything. I truly believe I am destined for greatness. Even if that greatness is simply providing my children with the kind of life they deserve, then that’s a perfect life for me. I understand that sometimes bad things happen and people get knocked to the ground. But how you handle the situation is what defines you as a person. You either roll over and play dead, or you get up, brush the dirt off and keep pushing forward. Don’t wait around for something good to miraculously happen. It doesn’t work that way. If you want good things to happen, you need to make them happen. Stop dwelling on the bad things that have happened in your life because they’re behind you. You can’t move forward if you’re always looking back. When you keep yourself locked in a dungeon all day long and do nothing to contribute to your life around you, don’t be surprised when life moves on and leaves you behind. I may not have a lot to be proud of right now, but this is my life and I’m living it, I’m not simply existing in it.
I have always blamed others for my lack of motivation, when truly I was blinded by self pity. Until my best friend of 10 years had her Lupus come back with vengeance. So now I motivate myself to eat healthier, motivate myself to go out and do things, try things I’ve never had before and because I am doing so, she is wanting to follow me, taking her 4 yr old daughter along as well. She’s off of all the drugs the doctors have been putting her on and finding different methods and she’s surviving. Now she’s trying to up one me on everything, but that’s okay with me.
Thank you for inspiring me to keep this up and help my best friend and her daughter stay healthy and chose the right roads.
I have said that my life duplicates that of my mother’s. The blame game I’ve inwardly played long enough. I know that I am totally responsible for the way my life is and the choices I make. I know that I can do much better though. Taking care of myself is prior to taking care of anyone else. When I am well, then I can help someone else. My life will be great now because I want it to be. I am retired, tired but grateful that I am alive to do what I can to improve my existence.
Thank you.
Thumbs up dear Sheila. So many…too many….are walking directly in the footsteps of their parents, not even once stopping to take notice of wether that path is right for them too. You truly are the creator of your own life – it is all up to YOU to pick and choose from the toolbox your parents and other influences in your life has equipped you with 😉 (Y)! BIG hugs Vibs <3
Thank you, thank you, thank you…..for opening my eyes and showing me my future, yes MY future (no one else’s choosing but my own). I’m at a time in my life where I was beginning to wonder ‘what’s the point? what’s my purpose?’ Until that dreadful day when my Dad was diagnosed with terminal Cancer. My Dad, my friend, my teacher, my God. So what should I do? Well I quit work and finally found the reason why I hadn’t yet had a family or moved abroad. I was meant to do this, I was meant to spend the next, however long he has, caring for my father. Spending the most valuable time we have left together by his side discussing anything and everything. I’ve had time now to become confident in my own life choices, I won’t be swayed by peer pressure anymore. I’ve seen first hand how valuable life and our bodies, ‘we’ are. So I say ‘thank you’ again Mr Flanery for showing me that my choices will always be the right choices.
Yours always N. <3 xxx
I thought that was very interesting. I usually do not listen or take any advice from someone who isn’t a priest or a pastor because I am uber religious! & I always find all the answers to my problems in the bible .I go to church & watch church channels 7days a week…but I like what u said your a very intelligent mankudos Sean 🙂
Thank you Sir. Some very direct advice, and I very much needed to have read this. I am always left with so much to think about, and always a little stinging from truth after reading. I am getting it, I promise you. Might take me longer than most, but I’m getting the messages, and you are right. Planing the future as I type this. I’m off here to start a list. Solid promises to myself to better me. 🙂
God bless.
Just wanted to tell you that: SMILES are free…. & CONTAGIOUS!!!! So I wanted to pass mine on to you big brother and to everyone here at Shine on… .. so everyone keep shining onnd passhose smiles on to everyone you meet..
Remember to love the Flandus everyday, Sean that includes sweet, innocent baby brother Reedenstein that you somehow get in trouble.
Love from OKC
Here here!
Well it was sent with love, though my heart is breaking from totally being homesick for H-town . Sean, meh big brother, oh master wise brother, what you got for homesickness for Houston, though I am only a state away and wasn’t born a Houstonian.?
I love this blog.. Brilliant. I’ve been struggling with health shit my entire life, was in the hospital at 5 with my poor lungs and it seems like I’ve been beaten throughout my life, but my mother pushed me to go as far as I can and thanks to her, I will not give in to ANY disability and I WILL push myself to do whatever I want to do.. If and when my body gives out and I physically can’t pick myself up, I’ll know I did everything i could. I gained a lot of weight during the worst of my health and I tried, always to lose it…i managed a few pounds here and there, never enjoyed any awesome food..lol.. But I still never stopped trying.. My health battled me every step, but I thought back, even if it seemed like a loosing battle…i would never give in and allow something other than me to decide my fate, to decide what I get to enjoy… So I push myself every day. I will always have goals, they change but I will always push to be better, then.. To be even better. This past year, my pushing finally gave me huge results..i lost 80 pounds and got to go off of my medicines. I am a fighter. I will fight for myself and 300 times harder for those I love. My best friend was diagnosed with MD and she gave birth to my goddaughter 10 years ago… She has done so much for me and I WILL be there for her when she needs me, I will be strong enough to do what she can’t physically, and I will do it joyfully. So I’m absolutely living there things you post, it is inspiration at it’s best. Thanks!
Love it! God bless.
Love you Seanie. You keep shining on us with your wise words and stories. See my brothers, Seanie and Normie can perfect anything the do. They are masters of whatever craft they try. I wuv my brothers. So everyone be kind & show Flandus love