Kirsten Sass

Do The Next Thing

    I have been thinking about my friend, Ron Turney, a lot lately. I have told this story before, but I find it has been on my mind especially during these uncertain times. You see, Ron was a swimmer. He LOVED to swim. He also was a triathlete, and while swimming was his passion, he also enjoyed running and cycling. Several years ago he discovered that, despite consistent training, his swim times got progressively slower. One day he had trouble even lifting his arms out of the water. The diagnosis - ALS.

     Ron had the most positive attitude you can possibly imagine. During one of my conversations with him, he shared this story with me. One day he wanted to ride his bike. He tried several times, but kept falling because his muscles and balance just would not let him. It would have been easy to get angry, or depressed, or just give up. But instead, he told me - “So, I just moved on to the next thing I was able to do - “Do The Next Thing”. That was his motto.  He acknowledged it, accepted it, and moved on.

     To this day, that has got to be one of the bravest, strongest, most amazing things I have ever heard. Although under very different circumstances, over the past several months with so much unknown, with stores, businesses, and schools closed, with races cancelled, with new challenges surfacing every day, and with life as we once knew it so changed - I have thought back on those words numerous times. While it is so easy to get caught up in focusing on that which we cannot control, I have found comfort in focusing on that which I can. When things change and an option simply is no longer available, I try to move on to one that is. I think of Ron, and I “Do The Next Thing”.

Nothing is a given. No one knows what tomorrow may bring. Seize your opportunities and make the most of what you have. Use your talents to their fullest. Chase your dreams. Refuse to settle. And when all else fails - Do The Next Thing. And, of course, Keep Moving Forward.

Thank you, Ron, for being an inspiration.

I am proud to have known you.

In loving memory of Ron Turney 3/26/56 - 9/26/18