This morning I got a coupon from Borders and paused to watch a video interview with Michael J. Fox about his new book A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Future… Watch the video here.
He writes to graduates with suggestions for a richer life. I have always enjoyed and admired this man as an actor, but who he has become on his journey with Parkinson’s Disease is a crowning achievement and a testament to the power of attitude and acceptance in transforming a life.
Michael didn’t finish high school, pursuing his acting career from the age of 15. Years later, the father of four found himself helping with high school homework and college applications. He wondered how he was able to do this. What constitutes an education? How do you get one? How did he fill in gaps? In his own words, “I might have skipped class, but I didn’t miss any lessons.” Herein lies the secret to his great success. Read on and allow Michael J. Fox to school you today.
When he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease he had to reconsider everything. He describes that time as a “little death”. Through much soul searching and the help of trusted family and friends he came to see his illness as a new second take on life, a rebirth that could only come from acceptance.
“My happiness grows in direct proportion to my acceptance,
and in inverse proportion to my expectations.” -Michael J. Fox-
I ask my coaching clients to complete a session prep form before each call. After asking them to list their current challenges I encourage them to reframe the challenge with this, “The situation has arisen precisely to move you to shift your viewpoint. Take the current facts and view this challenge from an angle that uplifts and empowers you. How is this also good?” Changing our perspective and consciously looking for the blessing changes everything about the way we deal with life.
I had this very conversation just yesterday with a client. She had become so frustrated and disappointed with her relationships that she was beginning to think she was kind of crazy. Not only did she have expectations about how others should act or respond, she felt responsible when things didn’t go that way; as if she must have said or done something to mess things up.
Michael brilliantly admonishes us to be “scrupulously honest” about what is. Stay in reality. Check in with the truth of who we ARE, not who we think we are or who we would like to be. I would add, ask yourself, “What is my responsibility in this situation? Keep drilling down to the truth of what is, then let the rest go and move through your day in peace.
The interviewer asked Michael what advice he would give to Alex P. Keaton and Marty McFly (two of his most famous characters).He responded that he would remind Alex that life is not linear. Expect and enjoy the twists and turns of the journey and don’t take yourself so seriously.
His advice to Marty (a character he loves) is to just hang on! Marty is so open and willing to grab life with both arms wide open, Michael says hang on and enjoy!
Thanks, Michael. I hope we have your wisdom and humor for years to come.
Share your stories of acceptance of what is. How did you find the joy? What did you draw on to reframe your situation?
2 comments:
He is such an inspiration! I often read one of his other quotes "I am careful not to confuse excellence with perfection. Excellence I can reach for Perfection is God's business" Accepting that I am not perfect nor ever will be is so freeing. I just have to be who God created me to be.
Thanks Sherri,
I love that quote. Two issues I hear about often are perfectionism and procrastination. They go hand in hand. If we think we may not do something perfectly, we hesitate and become paralyzed to inaction.
Knowing that each of us is exactly who God intended us to be - then just being the best "me" we can be is freeing, indeed - and FUN!
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