When I first had my full recovery from Parkinson’s, people kept wondering how long I would remain symptom free. Almost weekly, I was reporting “still symptom free.” Today, I want to revisit a lesson from my post one month after my full recovery regarding being focused on what is happening in the moment.
“There is a delightful woman, Linda, who works with Parkinson’s patients, and periodically she gives me a nudge to talk about my recovery experiences more in-depth so others may better understand the steps I took. I welcome her comments and suggestions just as I welcome everybody’s comments and suggestions. The way I see it, we are all in this together.
Last night, I received her suggestion that maybe it would be beneficial for current Parkinson’s sufferers to hear what it is like on the “other side,” meaning life without Parkinson’s. I will do my best.
When I had Parkinson’s, I was miserable and I was obsessed with being cured. I worked hard every day, never taking my eye off the prize. My eye was so busy looking at the future prize of being cured from Parkinson’s that on a daily basis it failed to look slightly left of my computer screen.
Slightly left of my computer screen is a statement that Socrates told Dan Millman in The Way of the Peaceful Warrior: We can control efforts, not outcomes. Combining this thought with the Zen books I was reading, I realized that I was so focused on the outcome, I was failing to live in the moment.
I can tell you that everyday I was working through my recovery there never was a doubt in my mind that I would be cured from Parkinson’s Disease at some future date. Accepting this allowed me to release it from my obsession of “wanting” it. I then was able to focus on what I was doing at each moment and enjoy the journey.
I will try to explain this better. When I get in the car and turn the key, I know the engine will start. I do not understand all of the nuances that take place, but I am confident in the process and I do not obsess over “wanting” the car to start. I just know it. And…once in a while it does not start. I can control putting the key in the ignition and turning it, my actions…everything after that relating to the car starting (the outcome) simply is not in my control. However, if my focus on the journey is maintaining the car with the proper diet, exercise and attitude, the likelihood of it starting every time is enhanced greatly.
That is what it is like being on the other side. Not only do I have a greater appreciation for my life and health than ever before, but I have a greater appreciation for the fact that life is a journey to be experienced. Not all of the experiences will be great, but I am taking pleasure in the moment of experiencing them. I can control my actions, not outcomes. I have no fear of living. That is what it is like on the other side…positive attitude and no fear of living. I do not know any other way how to explain this. I am happy!”
So, my friends, here we are, ten years after writing that post. The lesson is still there:
By having a positive attitude and no fear of living, by taking pleasure in the moment of experiencing the journey of life as it rolls out in front of me, and by controlling my efforts and making them my best efforts, I am focused on living in the moment and I am happy.
The Parkinson’s Recipe for Recovery® is here for you in the moment. As you do the Recipe, be in the moment of feeling the Qigong exercises. As you do the Recipe, be in the moment of allowing your mind to leave you in peaceful relaxation. As you do the Recipe, be in the moment of reconnecting with Spirit-you, and fearless, joyfully, gratefully, lovingly accept yourself unconditionally, right now…in the moment.
You can do this.
You are worth it!!!
All my best,
Howard
Thank you so much! I live in Sweden and this post arrived just now and in time for my Friday afternoon Recipe. Well needed.
Howard, thank you so much. Your positive counsel is so appreciated.
Love to all.
Sharon in North Carolina
This has definitely happened to me lately, when my symptoms get bad, I have been constantly fretting and obsessing with every detail and what’s and why’s.
Oh this Parkinson’s mind!
It is so difficult sometimes when you are shaking uncontrollably and unable to relax or get comfortable to calm down and trust!
Meditation does help if I manage to do it for 40+ minutes often guided and I can then sometimes get up out of my chair unaided.
Love to all. Keep the faith!
Thank you ♥️
“Oh, this Parkinson’s mind!”
Agreed! I’m sick and tired of my Parkison’s mind too – literally. I’d say it’s time we gave it the boot.
Hi Melanie S, how are you my old friend. Great to see you posting again..been a long time since we chatted. Hang in in there warrior, we will make it to the finish line. Remember you promised me a game of hopscotch 😀xx. ❤️Karen xx
Hi Karen
Lovely to hear from you too! Yes it’s high time we had that game of hopscotch! Actually I think I sometimes forget to realise that in fact I am doing great despite symptoms frightening me.
So that’s really it, isn’t it? Just cultivate a ferociously tenacious joy of life, and you can forget about the Parkinson’s and other woes because they just won’t matter anymore!
Which is why the recipe works.
Well, no one can accuse Howard of providing an overly complicated method…
Thanks, Howard, for reposting this most important message.
Working on attitude in Wisconsin,
Chris
Thank you Howard, it’s a really good explanation to follow. Oh, we say in German, “For all the trees, you can’t see the wonderful forest”…and your advice seems to be the same! Of all the bad signs, you can’t imagine the steady healing…THANK YOU🙏!
Hi Howard and fellow warriors, great post Howard, being in the present moment. I think it’s called that as it truly is a gift. If we become aware that all we have is the present moment, yesterday is done, the future is uncharted territory that we have no control over, then we relax knowing that each day is simply a series of present moments. In each moment we get to chose how to be and whether to act in a positive way or react in a negative way. In this, we do have control.
Hope you are all in a good headspace.
Big love, Karen xx 💕
Hi Howard,
Could you say it’s a kind of addiction the way we ought to think about parkinson or recovery?
How to keep our mind focus on healing instead means a lot of consciousness how we think about it. And what I learned by your coaching is, to skip the mind in order to let spirit and body come together. Living my life at the fullest means also for me to see all my emotion clouds hanging around me build up from years ago. I have to wash my glasses (letting go of emotion clouds) to see and feel more at ease with life and live it .
When we have doubts about recovery, don’t look too far in the future, just drop it and see what it will give, because I don’t have that unshakable believe like you do, but I think it’s not of my concern, it’s up to God (Amazon) if it happens or not. 🌺🌺🌺
Thank you Howard. I can do this! I can do this in this moment right here and right now. I can live my life joyfully. It is such a gift. A gift to be part of this community of Parkinson’s free believers! We can do this! I know there is joy in my Parkinson’s free future and have certainly been blessed with joy in my past. I believe God is teaching me to be joyful always in all circumstances. I can do this. I can enjoy every moment. Why not? What else was I going to do with my life? Thank you again for your heartfelt encouragement.
Thank you Howard for so steadfastly sharing your spirit and your joy. Your enthusiasm is contagious. God bless!
Thanks Howard, our family was hiking the other day, and my son out of no where says, live in the present it’s a gift, that’s why they call it present. It’s just what I needed to hear!!