Discover how one teenage boy has learned to embrace obstacles by not feeling sorry for himself, surrounding himself with family, friends and positive influences. With mental focus on what one can do and a focus on planning for the future, he is the hero of his own story.
Embracing a Happy Life Despite Adversity
Meet Sam, a 17-year-old who despite being diagnosed with Progeria, a rare disease that affects only about 350 kids worldwide, has learned to live a happy and fulfilling life. Progeria’s effects include tight skin, lack of weight gain, stunted growth, and heart disease. However, Sam’s story is one of resilience, courage, and determination.
The Power of a Positive Mindset
Sam shares his philosophy for a happy life, which is built around three key aspects. The first aspect is to focus on what you can do, rather than what you can’t. Sam believes that people often ask him questions about the challenges he faces with Progeria, but he chooses to focus on the activities he can do, like scouting, music, or comic books. By doing so, he creates a positive mindset that helps him overcome obstacles.
Surrounding Yourself with Positive Influences
The second aspect of Sam’s philosophy is to surround yourself with people you want to be with, people of high quality. Sam is fortunate to have an amazing family and a close group of friends who support and encourage him. He believes that these positive influences can make a significant impact on everyday life.
Keeping Moving Forward
The third aspect of Sam’s philosophy is to keep moving forward. He believes in having something to look forward to, something to strive for, no matter how big or small. This mentality helps him stay focused on the positive aspects of life and avoid getting stuck in negative emotions.
Overcoming Obstacles with Courage and Determination
Sam’s story is not without its challenges. At one point, he was hospitalized for a few days with a chest cold, which isolated him from his loved ones and activities that gave him his identity. However, he refused to let his circumstances define him. Instead, he chose to focus on getting better and looking forward to feeling good again. He believes that being brave is not always easy, but it’s the key to keeping moving forward.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Sam’s story teaches us that happiness is a choice, even in the face of adversity. By focusing on what we can do, surrounding ourselves with positive influences, and keeping moving forward, we can overcome obstacles and live a happy and fulfilling life.
As Sam would say, “I don’t waste energy feeling bad for myself. I surround myself with people that I want to be with, and I keep moving forward.”
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