Inspirational thoughts on how Theodore Roosevelt benefited from his challenging childhood battling asthma #2
MAKE A PLAN
Of course, Theodore couldn’t simply decide that he wanted to be healthy after twelve years of chronic asthma. As his father mentioned, Theodore had the mind, and, as it turned out, he also had a burning desire. Even though unable to participate in a truly active life, Theodore admired men of action. The severe asthma that often confined him indoors, and to bed, provided unexpected opportunities. Instead of running and playing outside, he devoured adventure books whose daring heroes stepped forward to save the day. He idolized these characters, and by the time his father issued the challenge, Theodore was ready. Theodore invoked the spirit of all of the great heroes he had read about.
Theodore’s father built a gymnasium with weights and a boxing ring, and encouraged Theodore Junior to spend all his spare time exercising. Hour after hour, day after day, Theodore challenged his feeble body by lifting weights and boxing. Throughout the spring and summer of his twelfth year, he was relentless, and little by little, even though no one else noticed, Theodore started to feel himself getting stronger. The result was a near cessation of the asthmatic attacks. Theodore was able to run, swim, ride horseback, and compete with his brother and friends. Theodore’s plan was to make himself healthy through a regiment of physical fitness. Every opportunity in which Theodore was not inhibited by his asthmatic symptoms he pushed himself harder, thus forcing his lungs to strengthen.
Whenever health permitted, Theodore was outside imagining himself as a leader conquering obstacles. As a young boy, Theodore made a list of activities for his companions and himself to compete in. After a few years of intense physical training, he boasted in his diary that he was able to beat his competitors in fourteen out of fifteen challenges. His vigorous new activities included long hikes, boxing and the collecting of a vast array of specimens he shot with his own rifle.
TAKE ACTION
Theodore Roosevelt is the best example I have ever heard of that demonstrates how action leads to turning difficulties into opportunities. Theodore Roosevelt’s life was threatened by attacks of asthma. Encouraged by his father, he chose physical fitness and outdoor activity to increase stamina and endurance. By the time he attended college, he had virtually eliminated the once chronic issues brought on by his asthma. He chose a “vigorous life,” and this choice had an incredible impact not only on his life, but on US and world history.
Theodore Roosevelt took from this experience the lesson of how effective action could be when attempting to overcome difficulties. His experience in overcoming asthma laid an indisputable foundation, which was later to play a direct role in the way he governed as he took on issues of social injustice, international war, and US land conservation projects as President of the United States. Theodore Roosevelt described it this way, “I put myself in the way of things happening; and they happened.”
Preparation, opportunity, and action are ultimately the main reasons why Theodore Roosevelt was able to overcome his difficulties. I believe that without the difficulties of childhood asthma, Theodore would never have been capable of developing the personal persistence and determination necessary to eventually stand atop San Juan Hill. The strengths developed in his battle with illness as a child prepared him to lead that charge up the hill and eventually become one of the most important, effective, and respected presidents of the United States. What ultimately made Theodore Roosevelt successful were the challenges he faced and how he responded to them.
1. Identify a difficulty. (For Theodore Roosevelt, this was crippling asthma and fragile health as a child.)
2. Imagine a solution. (For Theodore Roosevelt, this was robust health if he could attain it.)
3. Make a plan. (For Theodore Roosevelt, this meant participating in sports and exercise daily.)
4. Take action. (Full Roosevelt, this was following through with hours of exercise and constantly creating.)
