What is a symptom? According to Merriam-Webster Online, a symptom is “subjective evidence of disease or physical disturbance; broadly: something that indicates the presence of bodily disorder.” We all should be able to agree that symptoms are evidence of disease, but they are not the disease in and of themselves…they are the “something that indicates the presence of bodily disorder.” Although the symptoms of Parkinson’s are unpleasant and can prevent you from doing some of the things you would like to be doing, you have nothing to fear from your symptoms.
If you have nothing to fear from your symptoms, then where does all of your fear of your symptoms come from? Lack of understanding what is occurring…”if symptoms appear worse, I must be getting worse.” This is where many people tell me their fear comes from. Here is why this is not the case.
Let’s suppose you have been doing the Parkinson’s Recipe for Recovery® for a while. Your sense of smell has returned, constipation is under control, and on most days you feel like you have pretty good energy. In fact, you are doing so well that when your kidneys encounter a blockage in the kidney meridian, they contact the brain and this conversation takes place:
The Plan:
Kidneys: Hi brain. We have detected a major blockage in our meridian and we need more energy to break it open.
Brain: How much energy do you need?
Kidneys: 90% of the available energy in this body.
Brain: I cannot give you 90% of the available energy in this body. Symptoms will go haywire if there is only 10% of the available energy to tend to them and keep them in check.
Kidneys: Here is how we see it. If you give us 90% of the available energy in this body to open up this major blockage, the body will be low on energy for a couple of days, but after that, we will be able to provide you 10 times the amount of energy we are borrowing. The body then will be soaring with energy and recovery will go more smoothly.
Brain: Sounds like a plan. Let’s do it.
The Result:
When the brain gives the kidneys 90% of the available energy in the body to open this major blockage in the kidney meridian, here is what the body feels for a couple of days: tremors out of control, severe rigidity, extreme slowness, major fatigue, and pain in the lower back that feels like somebody has been using the kidneys for a bunching bag.
The FEAR:
FEAR: False Evidence Appearing Real! What Appears Real when you are facing the result listed above is that something dreadfully wrong is happening with your Parkinson’s. This is where FEAR takes over; some people stop doing what they were doing (the Recipe), and some people run to the doctor to have this terribleness remedied. However, when you look at The Plan listed above, you know it is False Evidence to think that anything bad is happening. In fact, something wonderful is happening. So, the end result for those lacking faith in themselves, faith in their Higher Power, and faith in the Recipe is FEAR — False Evidence Appearing Real — and they get off of the recovery path.
The Faith: Faith says, “what is occurring is just my experience in the moment, and it will pass.” And after a couple of days when it passes and the tremors settle down, and the rigidity subsides, and the slowness speeds up, and the fatigue turns into high levels of energy, and the pain in the lower back disappears, you smile to yourself and say, “I am happy I surrendered having to know why things are happening, and I am happy I chose faith. In retrospect, I clearly can see that I had nothing to fear, and to the extent that I had a little fear, it turned out to be False Evidence Appearing Real. I am really happy I did not give in to the fear.”
If you have faith in yourself, faith in your Higher Power, and faith in the Recipe, then you absolutely have nothing to fear. Remember, a symptom is nothing more than something indicating the existence of something else. If you are doing the Recipe, your symptoms are nothing more than an indication that you have more work to do in your recovery. That’s all!
Please know this: recovery is not just a destination…it is a journey. You are recovery in each moment of the journey. Since you have to move through this recovery slowly, why not enjoy the sights, explore the things you used to miss because you were moving too quickly to notice, and accept that Parkinson’s is temporary.
Fear and FEAR are not real. They are in your mind. Faith is real. It is in your heart and it is a part of who you are. Be the best you that you can be by looking inside yourself, grabbing a huge amount of faith, and telling your Parkinson’s that its days are numbered.
A symptom is nothing more than something indicating the existence of something else. The something else is Parkinson’s, and you are doing the Recipe and recovering from Parkinson’s. You have nothing to fear with the symptoms or the Parkinson’s. You are recovery.
You are worth it!!!
All my best,
Howard
Note: Don’t forget, I am providing a special offer of a discounted cost for Parkinson’s Coaching if you sign up by the end of June. Click here to learn more about Parkinson’s Coaching, including how to sign up for the Parkinson’s Coaching Package with the special offer.
Perfect blog again today for us. Rick just had some symptoms stir yesterday that
he had not had for quite some time and I was pleased to see it!! I knew it was good
movement happening even though he had to go thru an unpleasant morning and
afternoon of it. Every week, the blogs always address just the perfect topic!!
All you warriors, keep up your hard work and the body will rebalance in just the perfect
time for your recovery!
Hi Howard
Thank you for the very nice blog. I am doing my best to erase fear and replace it
with love
Thanks Howard, inspiring guidance made clear and simple. 👏😊
Hi Karen in Ireland. Last week you mentioned “A course in miracles”. I looked up that on Amazon, and there are various books, an “Original edition” and others. Which exactly is the book you use? Thank you in advance. Rainer
Hi Rainer, yes it is confusing so many variations. I would say follow your gut to which one you are guided too. In answer to your question about my copy….. It says… COMBINED VOLUME. Second Edition. 1 Text, 11 Workbook For Students, 111 Manual For Teachers. It’s the most challenging book I have ever read as its DEEP!!!! The lessons each day (when you get to that part of the book) take real discipline! I am on lesson 215 and still learning. What I love is the way I am getting stronger and stronger at receiving the connection and guidance of my soul. For example I can be thinking something and the next day the lesson is about what I was thinking. Believe it or not but everything it teaches is complemented with Howard’s recipe. It’s very deep though. I can’t stress that enough. Lol. Karen xx
So glad to see that there are others doing The Course of Miracles. I have been a student since 2007! Each time I read it, it takes on a new meaning. I would recommend Gary Renards book The Disappearance of the Universe. Gary is somewhat irreverent, but the book clears up many questions.
Many blessings, Lohren
Wow friend, that’s a long time. Good for you! I am delighted that I have nearly got through it once 🙂 I do know what you mean about getting something different out of a book each time you read it. Thanks for your recommendation Lohren.xx
You are so welcome!
A great and uplifting message. Thanks so much!
Blessings, Lohren
Hi Howard, love the chat between the brain and the kidney. I think most days my brain would not be so polite ha ha. I am teasing. 🙂 . You know me Howard, the kid in me loves posts like this one. Most every day I kiss my kness and tell my legs the great job they do considering they have little to go on from the brain. BUT equally I tell the brain how well it is doing at healing itself. Arms and hands get praise daily as do each organ. I feel I am given mini miracles all day long, especially when I shower. Considering my mobility and nerves and tremors, I spend the duration thanking God and the Angels who are with me, cos I could not do it without Gods grace.
Thinking of you all warriors.
Big love, Karen xx
Dear Howard and all,
We too got a big chuckle out of the brain/kidneys dialogue. We had a friend over for dinner last night, and I paraphrased it as well as I could remember and told her. She is interested in Russ’s coaching with Howard, how it is going, etc. She asked Russ how he liked Howard, and Russ replied that he is great, really a perfect fit for a coach.
These humorous stories are what I remember especially so now I as well as Russ have a tool to address my inner self when any kind of symptom comes up that I feel distress about.
Even though I don’t have Parkinson’s, I feel your blogs and maybe even the Recipe too apply to all of us as we all have adverse health conditions at some point in our lives.
Thank you, Howard, for bringing in the lightheartedness which allows us to see the overall picture of the healing process and not get worried about any momentary negative changes.
With gratitude to you, Howard, and all this healing community,
Rita and Russ
Thanks Howard, perfect timing.
Thank you Howard for this timely post..
It makes sense of the random nature of ‘good and bad’ days. I shall refer to the ‘bad’ days as healing days from now on. It feels much more positive!
Berni x