One Step

06 July 2008
One thing that I have learned in my life is that it takes one step at a time and dedication to get anywhere in life. I probably learned this best from swimming. When I first started swimming competitively, all I could think about was how hard it was. I, however, loved it and wanted to keep doing it. I continued to go to practice and I became better very quickly. I soon moved up to the advanced group, but this was even harder than before. I started to not like swimming as much, but it was because of the practices. I loved competing, the pool, and my friends. I soon started to not show up some practices and when I was at practice, I would make excuses and not work hard. Eventually my lacking of working hard started to show. I stop progressing and I started to slow down. I talked with my coach and she gave me a hard lesson. She told me that it was my fault and that I needed to just do the simple things like coming to practice and working hard everyday to continue to progress. I started to do this and I started to progress again. I rededicated myself and started taking small steps that took my on to bigger and better things. After all of my hard work, I became a state, far western, zones, and sectionals champion.

This lesson could also never be more true in my life right now. Quite frankly, my life seems to suck to some people because I have Crohn's Disease and I am attracted to men. Most days I am in extreme pain and have severe nausea and diarrhea. Then I am sometimes really horny and wanting a relationship and action with guys. It seems like a battle that I cannot win. Some people have asked me why I just do not give up. The answer is that it all comes from the lesson I learned of dedication and one step at a time. I take one day at a time and try to my hardest to make it the best day that I can. I could just sit around, do nothing, and mope about my crappy life, but I choose to continue to be active, go to school, work, and hang out with friends. If I let these thing bog me down, then my life will truly suck and I will hate life and probably God.

My advice for everyone is just to take life one step at a time. Sure there may be days where life is really hard, but there is always tomorrow and the hope for a better day. Do not give up on life. It will eventually get better despite everything that you might be going through right now. These past couple of weeks, I have gone through hell and back and it looks like after this morning I am heading for hell again, but I am not going to give up. I am just going to take one step at a time and try to live my life to the best of my ability. I hope that you will do the same.

5 comments:

Saint Job said...

Amen.

Chase said...

Some people have asked me why I just do not give up.
If give up is talking about Crohns that would mean.. kill yourself which is ridiculous. If "give up" refers to the homosexuality that is also ridiculous. There is no giving up, well there is giving up a part of yourself, of your life, and of true Godly love that all deserve to feel. One can give that up. And hope that a church that is going door to door to stop homosexuals from being able to visit there partners in the hospital is the true church.
Dont i sound bitter.
I hope you get feeling better bud. :(

Robert said...

It's so important to remember not to give up and to take things one step at a time. I'm sure you, too, experience the times when giving up really might look like the best or even only way; but, always remember that a better you knew that you'd be happier if you took it, one step at a time. You're a great person Sean. Love ya man.

MY VIEW said...

Sean "peace be unto they soul, thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment. And then, if thou endue it well, God shall exult thee on high; thou shalt triumph over all they foes." D&C 121:6-8

I love that scripture. Later it talks about how we are not quite like Job in that his friends stand against thee and accuse him. I think he left out those friends who would have you choose a way that goes against what you know by the confirmation of the Holy Ghost to be the right path.

It is one of the hardest things in the world to continue to love people who you know are giving you really bad but sincere advice. I know that a lot of people love you and want you to be happy and they mean well in what they say. Its a rare person that can love someone and yet at the same time politely decline their advice knowing full well that while it make you happy momentarily, eternally it would damn your progression.

This is one of the reasons I value your friendship. You know of my aflictions and you encourge me to do this that may not make me happy right now, but that will allow me to be happy in the long run.

Don't think that your example is one that is lost. I stand amazed at what you've been through and I hope to be able to endure my afflictiosn with the same courge and determination as you.

And yes when you feel weak, reach out for support. Thats what friends are for. You are a good example to me and I am glad you are my friend.

Zach said...

Thanks for that advise. Sometimes its hard to keep perspective when you're in the middle of something.


"one step at a time..." I like that. Thanks.