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Last week I made a challenge to take responsibility and I still stand firmly behind my statement, but it seems that some people mis-interpreted my message. Here is an email from a subscriber…

“Please make sure Ryan Lee gets this email about his email today. He has just made fun of people like me who diet and exercise, but because I have an illness that requires 7 medications that all add on weight, I am supposed to take responsibility for that illness. And what about the people with disease who require steroids (like cancer) but still try to keep in shape? Are they supposed to take responsibility for their disease? I think Ryan should make an apology in his next email to those of us who CAN’T take responsibility for a disease that has caused us to pay all the money to join this site.”

I have to admit I was surprised by this email. There are some people who take a hard stance and will argue that she indeed attract EVERYTHING into her life including illness, cancer, etc. However, I am not one of those people.

But I do believe in taking RESPONSIBILITY for your RESPONSE to the events in your life. It’s all about taking action.

You see, for 6 years I worked in a Children’s Rehabilitation Hospital and I helped hundreds of kids through all types of illnesses and diseases. I’ve known well over 100 children and babies who passed away and I’ve seen their families shattered.

Believe me, I’ve seen it ALL. I’ve seen the worst hands life can deal you. And when you’re in that type of environment for years and years and work with such special kids, there are so many life lessons you can learn.

That’s why I never sweat the small stuff.

To see a 15 year old girl, Adrianna, in constant pain 24/7 because of her skin and internal organs are literally hardening and turning to stone because of here rare disease: scleroderma, it really puts things into perspective. And even up to the time she passed away, she never felt sorry for herself and continued to work hard in physical therapy.

Another patient, John, a 16 year old with lupus gained weight due to the steroids for his disease. But he also worked out under my care in a supervised training program. Again, he took action.

Working with those kids did teach me a valuable lesson. They were some of the bravest people I have ever met in my life and continue to inspire me to this day.
They never sat around asking for my sympathy. They just wanted to be treated like everyone else. And it was how they chose to RESPOND to their circumstances that was remarkable.

Each of these kids spent hours a day in rehabilitation (physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, etc.) yet they all soldiered on. They never asked me to apologize for staying on them and making sure they were taking action every day.

If you are dealing with difficulties in your life (illness, disease, depression, divorce, death of a family member, etc.), I offer you my sympathy. But I also offer you advice to keep focused on the positive and continue to work towards your goals.

And to the subscriber who wrote the email - I commend you. Because despite your illness, you ARE taking responsibility and action. You are CHOOSING to join one of my programs and just by taking that action, you are proving to me that you’re trying hard to keep healthy. You are not sitting home and feeling sorry for yourself.

Instead of asking to apologize, you should help others continue who are going through difficulties keep heading in the right direction. And tell them to continue to take responsibility for the ACTIONS. Offer your prayers but also offer your support, guidance and coaching.

After all it’s not what you SAY that matters, it’s the ACTION you take based on your words that truly defines you.