It used to seem like an impossible goal, on par with jumping into orbit, swimming to the bottom of the Marianas Trench, or being able to divide fractions.
I want to sit still for one minute. 60 seconds of peace.
When I was six years old, I started to twitch with involuntary tics. This did not change for nearly 27 years. It was not until December of 2009 that I was able to sit still for one complete minute without distracting myself with things like talking, guitar, video games, or typing.
Those were still small victories, but they were not on my terms. I had to do something else so that I didn’t have tics. But what I really wanted was just to sit still because it was time to sit still, nothing else.
Yesterday things changed
I sat still for two hours and twenty minutes. 8400 seconds. I sat as still as you’re probably sitting right now, unless Tourette’s is contagious and you’re accumulating your own foolish repertoire.
No tics. Not one. No straining. Not even a little bit.
Understand: this has not happened in 27 years. Not for me.
Better yet
I know how it happened. I know how I did it. Within a year I will cure myself. And better than that, I believe I will be able to replicate it with other people with Tourette’s.
8400 seconds.
I cannot articulate it as well as I would like to yet, and definitely not from a scientific standpoint. But change is coming. If you have Tourette’s, there is help for you. I am studying myself and taking notes. I am working with some of the smartest people in the world when it comes to the body and mind.
None of them are doctors or neurologists. None of them are licensed to cut or prescribe.
Nobody else
Nobody else can solve my problem, so I can either accept my fate or solve it for myself.
8400 seconds.
I reject every diagnosis I have ever been given. I reject the pills and the treatments. I reject the support groups that, while they can be beneficial, do not always encourage me to take care of my own problems, but merely to join a commiseration club.
I refuse to endure. This is not about outlasting something. There is no compromise and there are no concessions. Nothing has power over me or my life. Nobody tells me what can or cannot happen with my life and my health.
If you are being controlled by something or someone. Fight. Now. Start today. Take what is yours. If you can’t win, at least make it a scrap that your opponent will never forget.
To hell with “The way things.”
To hell with “Nothing can be done.”
To hell with passive acceptance.
8400 seconds and counting.
Josh
If you liked this post, please Subscribe To The RSS feed.
And if you’re really awesome, subscribe to the newsletter.
{ 4 trackbacks }
{ 66 comments… read them below or add one }
Don’t know what you’re doing, but keep doing it. Glad to hear of the supremely noteworthy duration of time without tics. You’re on to something. Take it all the way.
Will do.
Hi Josh .. that’s wonderful that you’ve worked out how to help yourself .. in conjunction with others. I’m so pleased for you and long may it continue.
Yes – you put things in perspective for us .. we really have no excuses but to take what is ours, doing it gracefully as life is ours to do our best .. Thank you – Hilary
We all have things that feel unbearable. Don’t think that my situation is worse than anyone else’s. And I’m way better off than many, many people. that said, it’s going to continue.
Josh that is freekin awesome! I cannot wait to hear when you manage to go a day, a week, a month tic free.
It’s a true inspiration for all those people out their with tourettes and even other disorders. I truly believe most things can be overcome with enough determination and mental discipline!
I can’t wait either, Wraggy. Sooner rather than later, I promise.
“to infinity and beyond!”- we are rooting for you Josh!
Pearl, first time Buzz Lightyear has made an appearance here. You win a trophy.
I’m not sure I have ever won anything Josh! This is a big day!
Hi Josh, that’s awesome! You say these are small victories – but small victories are always the best. They guarantee real progress, one little improvement at a time. Keep going, as Pearl says we are all rooting for you.
enough small victories will add up to The Answer.
Wow, Fantastic Josh. A tune just popped into my head from “Finding Nemo.” “Just keep swimming, just keep swimming.”
Question for you. Was it sitting still like meditation still or lounging on the couch kind of still? Was it a full body stillness or a no twitching stillness while the body moved about normally?
Likely minute details, but very interesting to me. In any case it’s an amazing accomplishment, and I love the path you are making for yourself.
Eric, I’m fascinated by the details too, but that’s a way bigger conversation than I can handle online. If you ever want to jump on Skype and talk, I’d be happy to give you the broad strokes.
Buzz Lightyear and Finding Nemo in one day.
Josh,
I’ve just started reading your blog after being introduced to you through a guest post on Copyblogger. I was hooked when I navigated over and this post confirms both the line and the sinker.
At a loss for something more eloquent to say in response to your amazing message here, I say, “Hell yeah!” To convey the concept, through a very personal example, that our minds are the most powerful device we have to battle, well, anything…is inspirational, to say the very least. I’m certainly inspired. I hope others are as well.
Thanks for taking the time to share your experience. It is definitely appreciated.
I’m also at a loss, and it does happen often, so I’ll just echo your “Hell yeah” and say that I want to know the story behind “ironshef.”
Wow, that’s great news. I look forward to hearing how you did it. My son has a nasty habit cough. Everyone thinks it’s asthma-related. Maybe your strategy could help?
Meryl, thanks. I have no idea. I’m currently in the exhaustive documentation phase, carrying a recorder everywhere with me, making notes of EVERYTHING I feel, see, rooms I enter, etc. I don’t want to pretend I know things I don’t, but good luck to you. I would certainly help if I thought i could, but I have no idea what the applications of this are beyond my own situation yet. I’m still rooting for you two!
It may or may not be applicable – but can’t hurt to experiment unless it involves illegal stuff — just kidding. Seriously, I am so excited for you and have a friend who’s daughter has Tourette’s. I plan to share this inspiring post with her.
Josh, Yay YOU! I can hear that you are on to something and I totally believe that licensed professionals are not part of the equation [for everyone else - I am one of those professionals, but trying to recover --:-)]. Our training doesn’t allow room for people to be empowered and work toward their strengths. We are trained to have people rely on us for “help” and “answers.” We don’t have answers and we don’t help by enabling a sense of helplessness.
I can’t tell you I know how you feel, but I can say that your story today makes ME feel happy for you!
Thanks Susan. I will say that many, many professionals have done wonderful things for me, just not in this arena.
So badass.
I thought you’d like that. More to come.
Congratulations!!!
Good on you for both having the attitude to say ‘not gonna take this’, and the willingness to share your Journey w/the rest of us.
Best of Fortune on your way as you make those 8400 seconds a lifetime!
Thanks Birdy.
I am so looking forward to more details about this. It’s wonderful that you have found a way to help yourself Josh!
As soon as there’s something I know how to explain, believe me, it will be out there.
Josh,
That’s great news to here. I’ll be sharing this with my good friend who has tourette’s. Look forward to seeing what it is going to be.
I’d love to talk with him someday.
fantastic (tho’ my mom’s soul worries a little). But for today, for now, fantastic. Go celebrate.
My mom probably feels the same way:) but don’t worry, this is not something that I think is going to be solved overnight, but I do know the direction I’m going and which steps to take.
WOO HOO! ROCK ON!!!
no, you rock on.
Awesome!! Ridiculously happy to hear your progress.
Keep on!
Thanks Dan. I will.
Congrats! Next, it will be 8401 seconds! I love your attitude and the fact that you are taking control of the things you can control. You go!
Nope, next it will be 9000.
You kick ass, my friend!
Maybe a little:)
Josh that is one HELL of a PR! This was definitely of the best and most inspirational blog posts I have read in a while. Most of us take the act of sitting still totally for granted. Keep kicking Tourettes in the ass. I really look forward to reading how you beat it.
It’s not beaten yet and won’t be for a long time. All of the itches and urges are still there, but they are muted most of the day. But it’s coming.
Aside from the fact that I think you are onto something serious with regards to overcoming tourette’s…you might be a multiple choice question someday JH …
Who cured tourette’s?
a) Josh Hartnett
b) Josh Grogan
c) Josh Hanagarne
d) Josh Brolin
*always go with C baby!
That is pretty exciting.
DD
ps…and the movie, “8400 seconds” will kick 8 Mile’s ass (although a 2 hr+ movie of a gentle giant sitting quietly may have some getting antsy by the end)
It will also be better than 8 Seconds, that Luke Perry movie.
and longer!
WHOA!!!!!!!!!!! I am so incredibly happy for you, Josh. Especially after these awful past months. Anything that can help without poking around in your brain or filling you up with poison, is awesome, and I can’t wait to hear what you’re doing. I also can’t wait to share this with Ethan. He is going through a tough spot right now and it is really painful and frustrating for him. He’s still got a great attitude, though, and I know that’s partly due to you.
This just totally made my day!!!! I hope you are havin’ a great one too, Josh!
Keep him happy however you can. Tell him I’m pulling for him and Lego Master! has received its first guest post.
That’s awesome! He’s been really bummed about not writing anything for the blog lately. I have realized that as much as he wants to write, he is super self -conscientious. Maybe I shouldn’t have told him how many people read the blog that day. . . .
Fantastic acheivement Josh! Congratulations.
I likw what you said about support groups too. Way too often they are just commiseration sessions. My 3 year old daughter has kidney disease and we went to a couple of support groups for transplant and dialysis and decided they were not for us. We were not going to let her feel sorry for herself or feel “entitled” to something from the world because of her disease. Its a great message you are putting out there, you are the one in charge and you are the one to help yourself.
Great Stuff
Justin
Dude! Congratulations! That’s awesome! DUDE! YOU ROCK! So. . . uh. . .what’d'ja do, if you don’t mind my asking? Hey, yo, keep this up and you’re gonna have to quit the librarian gig for, like, book tours and Oprah spots and -ish like that! Josh, that’s AWESOME! Well done, you, and way to give Tourette’s The Finger!
Oh, come on! It wouldn’t really be a comment from ME if I didn’t mention a rude gesture SOMEWHERE! X-D
CONGRATULATIONS!
glad to hear you found some peace. I hope you do find a way to help others. I would love to hear more so I could help my son when his tics become extreme!
This is really so fantastic!
Studying yourself and taking notes, that sounds very effective.
I really hope this progress continues.
Can’t wait to hear your explanation if you ever get it into wording.
We can each be a guinea pig. One day maybe I’ll figure out how to cure tallness.
You inspire me. I’m so excited about your 8400 seconds and that you have figured out how to make that 8400+.
“Nobody else can solve my problem, so I can either accept my fate or solve it for myself.”
That sentence can be used for every situation in life and I like it. It’s a sentence I realized a few months ago and really what’s fueling my ambition: my self. Thank you for writing the words.
(yes, blog post coming…)
Josh,
I am so excited for you, what a victory. As I read this post I felt as though my heart was ready to burst into song.
You’re such an inspiration!
Right on.
“Refuse to endure.”
We’re all survivors, man. No glory in that.
I wanna be a _thriver_.
I didn’t make that up, I heard it some place, I don’t remember where. But it fits everyone.
I am so proud of you!! congratulations!
Well done Josh.
Congratulations. Very inspiring.
It’s a lot more difficult short term to make yourself stronger than to rely on prescriptions, and if you can achieve that it is very exciting.
Looking forward to hearing more!
I’m weary of support groups too. It seems like several of them are just an excuse to be around others and spread the misery instead of teaching you how to cope.
I avoid medication too. I have 3 prescriptions that I haven’t filled because I’m trying to fix it with diet changes and weight loss.
Congrats on the 8400 and thanks for the visit.
Josh, That is just fricking awesome. I’m psyched for you. I’d love to talk about the details with you sometime. Some of them may be useful to me with my daughter and her CP. You can always feel free to use me to get your thoughts together as you want to document them, i’m good at asking questions and drawling out details. It’s my day job.
For what it’s worth, I’m praying that you continue to have success.
Thanks Laura.
Wow.
Josh, you never cease to amaze me, my friend. You are the man!!!
Keep up the great work – you’re such an inspiration!!!!
Thanks Michele. Glad to see you’re still around!
Wow, I had no idea. I have studied neuroscience for quite some time and that is a feat I have never heard of. You are an inspiration to us all.
…and to think I was bummed about not being able to do the splits completely in my karate class. We all just need to keep working at it and we have no one to fall back on for that ultimate success, except for ourselves.
-Joshua Black
The Underdog Millionaire
Hi Josh,
I found your blog through your review of “Combat Conditioning” and I have been fascinated for the better part of the day. I too am an enthusiastic user of kettlebells and other extreme forms of exercise, like running barefoot. Your post about sitting still resonates with me, as a longtime meditator. It sounds like you’re ready to learn more about how to meditate; sitting still is a good beginning, but there’s a lot more. Send me an email if I can help.
best,
Asatar
Asatar, you made my day, thank you. I’m not proud–if I think you can help, I’ll be screaming for it:)