Do What You Can

Below are a few pictures.  The darker one I took this week in my living room to submit for a role on a new show on ABC (casting requested a shirtless pic) and the other two are modeling photos from a few years ago.  I’m posting them for a couple of reasons.

As with mostly everything I post on this blog, it is meant to encourage those who see it.  

I’ll explain: 

Life has thrown me some really difficult physical and emotional challenges the past five years - even as recent as this past weekend I faced one of the most difficult things I've faced in my life.  Sometimes it has taken all of my effort just to smile, feel normal or to pull myself out of bed and face the day.  I work very hard to focus on others, maintain hope and stay positive, so people usually have no idea that I am facing any challenges in my life. 

Now to the pictures:

I am used to being at least 15 lbs heavier than I am currently, and around 6% bf when I'm able to train regularly (4.5% bf for shoots).  Due to the aforementioned challenges, I have not been able to do so for quite some time.  On top of everything I have faced, not being able to train has been incredibly difficult for me personally, as it has been an important part of my entire adult life. 

The Benefit Within the Adversity:
One benefit to having experienced and come through challenges in my life is I know that this to shall pass, in time.  In the face of everything, I am truly joyful because I have learned to look for the benefit within every adversity as quickly as possible.  There is always a benefit.  If you learn to look for it, you will more easily recognize it. 

Do what you can do:
In the meantime, I maintain a low bf% by keeping my diet lean and eating very clean, because that is what I can do.  

I post these pictures as an example to hopefully encourage people and say, "Hey, even when life throws you challenges and you can't do everything you would like to, you can always do something. Don't give up hope and keep pressing forward with what you are able, until you are able to do what you desire."

YOU: 

I genuinely hope that this does offer some encouragement to you.  Please remember that you may not have control over what happens to you and what life throws at you, but you do have control over how you react to it and your own actions. 

If you are experiencing challenges in your life, - even if it has nothing to do with the physical - know that you have within you the strength to persevere and that things will get better.  Decide today that you will actively look past them and do what you are able, until you are able to do what you desire.  Make it an amazing day, and in doing so each day, you will make it an amazing life.  In short, do what you can. 

Above Picture taken Thursday, August 7, 2014