No Complaints, No Excuses

This week my mother knowing the path I have been set on brought me a fantastic magazine, the October issue of Good Housekeeping. 

I want to share a bit about the man on the front cover. Good Housekeeping did an interview with Michael J. Fox. After 20 years of living with Parkinson's disease he has decided to continue with his love for acting by starring in his new TV series on NBC called The Michael J. Fox Show. If you are interested in watching the show the video to the official trailer is below.

 

In the Good Housekeeping magazine his article is title "No Complaints, No Excuses". We all struggle with something in life (some trials seem more difficult than others but each is tailored to each individual person). No matter if it is Parkinson's disease, cancer, depression, anxiety, weight problems, addictions, or who knows maybe even a mixture of it all are we living our life to the fullest with  NO complaints and NO excuses?? If not are we trying to?

"A life well lived is demanding and exhausting and tiring; it was already that way without the element of work, so you could say that this job could be the straw that breaks the camel's back--but it could also be the needle in the haystack." This was MJF's response to that carrying a TV show may be too physically and mentally demanding. I absolutely love his response because I think it shows that life is really all about perception. Yes it is inevitable that we will all be dealt crappy cards but are we going to focus on the crappy cards in our hand or the great ones that could win the jackpot? Taking risks can break us. Have you ever made a life changing decision where most people prepared you for the worst or advised you against it? It was challenging but in the end didn't it change your life. Life can break us but taking chances and living our passions never will. If we live our lives to the fullest we will faces opportunities that ultimately can be our needles in haystacks, our golden ticket. 

When he was asked if anyone discouraged him from doing the show, MJF said "You know your situation. Don't let others project onto you what they think you should be feeling." Sometimes we do takes risks take on challenges that sometimes we aren't even sure we can accomplish but if you decide its the right time and the right thing to do, don't let anyone discourage you from your path or your feelings toward your dreams! 

Good Housekeeping asked: " Do you ever have days when you don't feel like being positive?" 

MJF: "I have days when I am tired- days when I want to turn on a classic movie channel, hang out, and eat chocolate. But I don't look at that as being negative or depressed"

"Living a life well lived" is exhausting sometimes we need to take a pajama wearing day in front of the TV with comfort food! Don't beat yourself up, don't be ashamed. If we go till we physically and mentally can't that is when we become bitter and negative. Take a day relax, veg, do what you need to do and pick yourself back up the next day. Don't become lazy, but take a day off from your everyday life, because trust me YOU DESERVE IT!!

Finally, "My 7 Life Lessons" by Michael J. Fox:

1. DON'T LET AN OPPORTUNITY PASS YOU BY!

2. Marry the right person

3. Keep Your Head UP!!!

4. Listen to your loved ones!

5. Teach your children well

6. Fight the Good Fight!

7. NEVER GIVE UP!!!!!

Let's begin today to live a life of No Complaints and No Excuses. Live a life of positivism, give ourselves a break every now and again. And NEVER...EVER.. GIVE UP!!!