I like to talk a lot about doing the impossible. You might say I’m obsessed with it. From magic tricks that appear to be impossible, to overcoming barriers that seem to be - the subject just speaks to me.
In today’s blog article, I wanted to share an excerpt from my book You Can Do the Impossible, Too! where I do something that others thought might not be possible for me to accomplish.
My hope, by sharing this, is that you might see yourself in this story. And if you don’t see yourself exactly, maybe the story will speak to that part of your soul that needs to hear it - because I firmly believe that you can do the things that feel impossible in your life, too…
Click here to read the full article.
“The things we believe about ourselves always prove to be true.”
That statement, from my program #DOTHEIMPOSSIBLE, can be hard to understand. After all, it would be very easy to debate the point. I guess that’s why I felt it was necessary to provide examples from my life after I made the statement.
For today’s #TouretteTalk I’ve decided to share a short video clip from my talk about why, and how, what we believe can define the way we see ourselves, the actions we take - virtually everything in our lives…
Click here to read the rest of the article and watch the video clip.
Yesterday was Independence Day here in the United States of America. Every year, on July 4th, we celebrate the brave, monumental feat that we accomplished 243 years ago - fighting for and claiming our independence.
Our founding fathers fought for freedom. They fought for freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom to assemble - all sorts of freedoms they believed were God-given rights. The fought for their freedom against a country they didn’t believe represented them. Talk about high-achievers!
On a seemingly unrelated note, exercise and physical fitness is my hobby. I enjoy going to the gym virtually every day. And for as long as I have been going to the Gold’s Gym in my area I have seen one man in there consistently who has impressed and inspired me.
This man is in the gym all the time. I can count on seeing him at least several times a week. I think it would be safe to say that physical fitness is a lifestyle for him, too. The big difference between him and me (besides the fact that he is in better shape and is more impressive looking than me) is that he wheels his wheel-chair around the gym as he moves from machine to machine getting in a solid workout…
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One of the cool things that social media provides us is access to our friends that we may have lost touch with. Over the last several years I have re-connected with my former high school Speech and Drama teacher.
I’ve written in my book about auditioning for the Jr/Sr play. That audition, and receiving a leading role in the play was a pivotal moment for me early in life. When I stepped on stage for the first time, I felt like I was “at home.” And when I was performing in front of an audience, the tics and twitches of my Tourette Syndrome just vanished.
And while I was more excited, than fearful or worried, to audition for a role in the play, choosing to step out on to a stage, where there was an audience of people focusing all their attention on me, was certainly taking a risk.
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“Tourette Syndrome does not define me.”
I’ve emphatically made that statement many times. In fact, it’s probably been one of the most important messages that I’ve wanted to share with the world. I’ve seen numerous other people who have Tourette Syndrome say it, too. It’s like those of us with T.S. (or any disorder, really) want to make it clear to the world that just because we have tics, those tics do not make up who we are. Put another way, “I may have Tourette Syndrome, but Tourette Syndrome does not have me.”
So, if not being defined by Tourette’s is so important to us, how do we define ourselves, and how do we want the world to see us?
Enter two powerful words…I AM.
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I’ve written in my book and on this blog before about being embarrassed by the tics from my Tourette Syndrome. I think the unwanted attention that movement and vocal tics draw from others are what adds insult to injury. Think of it like this…I already can’t control some of my movements or vocalizations, and now someone wants to point at me and laugh because of them.
But I don’t bring this up because I want to discuss that it’s not fair to have Tourette Syndrome. I’ve already made the point (in another #TouretteTalk article) that life isn’t fair. Besides, thinking about how unfair it is to have Tourette Syndrome (or any other difficult disorder, illness, malady, etc.) puts me in a mindset of feeling like a victim. And let me tell you something…
I am not a victim. Nor will I allow myself to think that way.
You see I firmly believe that…
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I’m wrapping up the Introduction from my book “You Can Do the Impossible, Too!” in today’s #TouretteTalk. Just sharing these blog articles over the last few weeks has helped me gain a new perspective on living with Tourette Syndrome and any other “impossible challenge” that you and I may be dealing with.
As you read the book excerpt below, please keep in mind the simple idea of “missing the forest because of the trees.” It’s very easy to get caught up in the things that are right in front of you, including the immense difficulties that you may be dealing with. When someone makes fun of you and hurts your feelings, I want you to remember that this too shall pass.
I know how difficult it can be to live with uncontrollable tics. I know how easy it is to get lost in self-defeating inner-talk. I know how depressing it can be to not see any end in sight to your pain and frustration.
I honestly don’t have an answer that will make magically cure you. What I can offer you is this…I type these words today thinking of you. I am standing firmly in your corner cheering loudly as you live the adventure of life.
I may not know you personally, but…
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In today’s #TouretteTalk I continue to share an excerpt from the Introduction of my book “You Can Do the Impossible, Too!” As I outlined in last week’s article, I’m getting more and more comfortable getting vulnerable and raw with the world about living with Tourette Syndrome.
Interestingly enough, what I find happening is that as I share about living with TS, I also get more and more power over it. What was embarrassing in the past is becoming a source of strength.
Ideas are coming to me on how to empower other people living with Tourette’s, autism, depression, mental health disorders, and more. In fact, if you have ever felt ashamed or like an outcast, I want to be someone who empowers you and helps you realize what special gifts you bring to the world.
I guess we will all see how that manifests itself here on my blog. In the meantime, I hope today’s book excerpt gives you encouragement.
Click here to read the full article.
One of the things that’s been on my mind recently is getting more vulnerable, open, and raw about what it is like to live with Tourette Syndrome. For years, I was embarrassed by the twitches and vocalizations that drew unwanted attention my way. It took me well into my mid to upper-thirties until I was willing to discuss the neurological condition that I have lived with my entire life.
I’m still jotting down ideas and outlining how I want to share my thoughts, but I’ve decided that now is the time to start sharing…even if I don’t have it completely figured out.
I hope that by sharing my insights as someone who has lived with Tourette Syndrome for over forty years, other people living with Tourette’s or dealing with any challenge that feels “impossible” to overcome, can find hope, inspiration, and comfort knowing they are not alone.
Please know this, if you are frustrated, scared, depressed, or feel paralyzed by your current situation, I stand firmly with you as someone who has “been there.”
Click here to read the full article.
