How To Have Tourette’s Part 7: No Excuses

by Josh Hanagarne on November 17, 2009

Bad day, then a bad night.  But a lesson learned.  Please share this with anyone who could use the message.  Much appreciated, friend.

I’m okay.  I really am.

You make this easier for me by being here.  Thank you.

Josh

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{ 126 comments… read them below or add one }

1 Mary W. November 19, 2009 at 1:03 am

Josh, you never cease to inspire me (or amuse me, depending on the post). I also have a built-in excuse that I can’t control. It is depressing enough that I deal with the issue, but it’s more depressing when I allow it to deal with me. Most people aren’t willing to support me in pushing myself to the limit, because they feel sorry for me, or as one friend said she felt guilty because this happened to me and not her. When people see me; they see my problem–to them it is my identity. But that’s just it; it’s something that HAPPENED to me, but it’s not ME nor my identity. I get discouraged, and sometimes I let my excuse lead me to not working as hard as I could and should. Thanks for reminding me to accept and act accordingly, without judging me.

p.s. – like Megan, I also struggle with your sound volume. I can hear everything else on my computer at a medium to low volume level but when you post a video, I turn up all the volumes available to their max levels – my speakers, the media player, my system sound…and I still hold the speaker up to my ear.

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2 Josh Hanagarne November 19, 2009 at 9:11 am

Mary, you’re welcome. I’m sorry about the volume. The playback is deafening on my own computer, even the lower volumes. Any tips? Techie, I am not.

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3 Harry F November 19, 2009 at 7:11 am

Josh,
This is my first visit to your site and I had to subscribe immediately. You are an inspiration. Thanks for your courage to share your stories and adventures in living. When I am dealing with depression I know that I have to move forward toward my potential. You have reinforced that in me and I am thankful.

Harry

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4 Josh Hanagarne November 19, 2009 at 9:13 am

Harry, depression is no joke. Don’t beat yourself up if you succumb occasionally, but make sure you are having more up times than down, or something’s really out of wack. Thanks for visiting, I hope you’re here to stay!

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5 Boris Bachmann November 19, 2009 at 3:04 pm

Might as well make it 112 replies! Thank you for the inspiring post Josh!

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6 Josh Hanagarne November 19, 2009 at 3:31 pm

Boris, you’re welcome. I think 60 of those replies are my own:)

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7 Patrenia November 19, 2009 at 10:27 pm

Thank you so much for finding me so that I could find you (if that makes sense). I really have enjoyed reading your posts and love your transparency and honesty. Thanks for sharing your story :-) . It is very inspiring!

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8 Josh Hanagarne November 19, 2009 at 10:48 pm

Patrenia, it makes as much sense as any of this:)

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9 Sheri Bell-Rehwoldt November 19, 2009 at 11:17 pm

You’re such a cool guy, Josh!! I wish the very best for you. ;-)

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10 Josh Hanagarne November 19, 2009 at 11:23 pm

Thanks Sheri. Coolness has a dreadful price:)

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11 Sheri Bell-Rehwoldt November 20, 2009 at 10:02 am

I’m sorry, Josh. I know you’re really, really tired of hitting yourself in your face. Frankly, I don’t know where you find the strength to keep such a good attitude. But you’re making a difference in other people’s souls. We’re thinking, “If Josh can do it, without excuse, then I need to get my sorry arse in line, too.” For that, I thank you. ;-) But I’m also praying for ya, too. ;-)

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12 Tim November 21, 2009 at 9:04 pm

Thanks so much for that Josh! Very inspirational :)

I too have tourettes though it’s more minor than yours and you’re completely right it should never be used as an excuse for not giving life your best shot :D

I totally get what you mean by parents telling you to “stop doing those things with your face” etc (from your previous videos), I started getting ticks from 13 and only discovered it’s tourettes last year at 20 and my parents were constantly telling me off for doing blinking / eye rolling / pulling my face in weird ways and making squeaking noises constantly.

Loving this series, keep it up :)

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13 Josh Hanagarne November 22, 2009 at 12:22 am

Tim, how long have you known you had it?

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14 Tim November 30, 2009 at 8:05 am

Only known about a year now, when I saw a documentary on it with heaps of kids having the exact same problems as me and realized that’s what I had.

I previously always thought tourettes was simply where you sweared a lot, thats Hollywood for ya.

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15 Annabel Candy November 23, 2009 at 3:35 am

That sucks big time big boy. Now I’m thinking it’s not so good that you’re strong. Ouch. Brilliant message. I love your positive attitude. Keep moving on – you’re heading in the right direction:)

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16 Katebits November 29, 2009 at 9:47 pm

Thanks for sharing this message with such dignity. “Built in excuses” is honestly not something I’ve ever thought about before. Definitely food for thought.

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17 Josh Hanagarne November 30, 2009 at 12:21 pm

Dignity is a word that has never been applied to me. Time for a journal entry:)

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18 Beth L. Gainer December 1, 2009 at 1:19 pm

Thank you for your courage in sharing this video, Josh. You rock.

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19 bloominglater December 15, 2009 at 4:10 pm

Josh -

I found your blog through http://www.lifewithoutpants.com/, a blog that I found through someone else’s twitter feed. The universe is a friendly place. I have struggled for a long time with something which has allowed me to feel sorry for myself and to use behaviors “that are beneath me” to cope. Your post inspired me to action. Bless you for it and thank you so much for sharing what has to be a very difficult and vulnerable story at times. It is that vulnerability, though, that teaches us, that helps us heal and that makes us whole. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Peace and many blessings,
Bloominglater

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20 Josh Hanagarne December 15, 2009 at 4:58 pm

What a nice compliment. Thank you and thanks for the visit. I hope you’ll be here for a long time. It’s not always quite this dramatic around here!

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