Seven years ago, I began doing the Parkinson’s Recipe for Recovery®. Of course, back then it did not have a name…it was just what I was doing. At the same time, I began keeping a hand-written Parkinson’s Daily Journal. It is time to share my journal with all of you. Here is my November 15, 2009 journal entry, seven years ago today.
“11/15/09. Up at 4. Very slow. Think it was cutting grass yesterday. Got to kitchen at 4:14. I believe that is my new world record for slowness.
I had a hard day today. Very slow, lots of pain. Very dizzy. I am going to blame it on cutting the grass yesterday and see how I feel tomorrow.”
It took me 10 minutes longer than on a pre-Parkinson’s morning to get to the kitchen. Ten minutes longer is not a big deal if you are on a lengthy adventure. However, this was 10 minutes longer in what had been a 4-minute adventure. It bothered me enough that I was keeping track of these time differences.
But, even with the slowness and the pain, I did not lose my good attitude, nor my faith, nor my ability to say, “I am going to blame it on cutting the grass yesterday and see how I feel tomorrow.”
This was a really important way of looking at things. Essentially, it was my way of not worrying about what was going on in the moment physically. I simply said, “and see how I feel tomorrow.” This was an easy way for me to force myself to stay in the moment and not worry about the future.
Staying in the moment keeps you in your heart. Staying in the moment keeps you in your dopamine flow. The past with self judgment and self-criticism and the future with fear and worry are nothing more than illusions of the mind…and they fuel adrenaline.
Click here for a reminder of staying in your heart.
You are worth it!!!
All my best,
Howard
Please note: I will be posting one post per day through the middle of November. If you subscribe to receive email notifications when I post new blog posts and you would prefer to not receive those daily email notifications, simply send me an email at howard@fightingparkinsonsdrugfree.com, and let me know that you do not wish to receive a daily email with a link to each post. I will remove you from the list through the middle of November and add you back on the list after the middle of November. However, I still would recommend you checking the blog on a regular basis as it will contain very useful information for understanding my journey and helping with your journey.
Staying in the moment is one of my biggest challenges, coming from a history of worrying about and being fearful of the future, and constantly attempting to analyze and replay the past.
Howard, I wonder if during your battle with Parkinson’s, did Sally keep a journal?
I would love to peek inside it, were she willing to share it with all of us one day.
Hi Judy,
Sally did not keep a journal while I had Parkinson’s.
Love and blessings,
Howard
Live in the moment because after all that is all we have. I’ve learned that you can’t look at life as a race because if you do that, you will miss what its all about. Life itself moves fast enough we don’t need to speed it up anymore than it is. (This is coming from a New Yorker).
Tony, you are absolutely right!
Lovely people so privileged to know you all. It’s worth having had parkinsons even just for that alone!
Howard,
I am reading these “Dailies” with gratitude. Thank you.
Thank you Howard. The heart rules. XX
Thanks, Howard!
Don says: Today, I buttoned my own left shirt button (long sleeved cuff button) for the first time since probably 2009. 🙂
Karen says: I deeply appreciate all that I am learning in this blog!
Love to all,
Karen and Don
Congratulations Don. Of all the consequences of PD, the shirt cuff is what I find to be the most frustrating. I can imagine how pleased you must be.
Thanks, Dave! You will be the next one to conquer the shirt cuff mountain.
Don
Dear Howard, thank you so much for these daily posts which are so incredibly helpful. It’s true faith to ‘believe when our eyes can’t see’ – I am so thankful to have found you two years ago, you are truly inspirational. And thank you Marie for all your input and congratulations on five years being symptom free! X