As I have written in recent posts, the extreme heat and Covid, other viruses, injuries, and surgeries WILL make your symptoms look worse. However, I have explained that this does not mean you are getting worse with the Parkinson’s. Some people have chosen to accept this explanation, and some have not. It is your choice.
In the last week, I sent to a person an excerpt from a previous post about how what you are thinking has a lot to do with how you are doing, and I feel that it is appropriate to re-post that information today.
“How you proceed forward in your life has a lot to do with how you proceed forward in your recovery. Since this is the case, why not choose a joyful life and follow your heart to your cure!
Suppose every thought you had sent a vibration out to the Universe, like a ripple in the pond when you drop a stone. Then suppose that the Universe did not interpret whether you liked or disliked your thought vibrations, but instead merely viewed them as: “Whatever this person is thinking about the most, he or she must want, so I will give him or her more.” Then, all of the thoughts of symptoms would bring you more symptoms, even if you were thinking how much you did not like your symptoms.
In my recovery, whatever misery I was facing, I looked at it and accepted it as necessary for my recovery. Using the same analogy, the Universe said, “Whatever Howard is thinking about the most, he must want, so I will give him more.” Since the symptoms always were there and always were changing, I constantly was thinking and saying “this is necessary for my recovery,” “this is part of my recovery,” and “this is my recovery happening,” and I knew this to be true. Changes in the symptoms (often in them looking worse) was nothing more than changes in my internal vibrations or internal changes in my electrical flow.
I was on my way to my recovery, so everything that was happening was necessary for my recovery, plain and simple. And, the Universe delivered recovery, recovery, recovery. If you are consumed with your symptoms, then chances are the Universe is delivering to you symptoms, symptoms, symptoms.
When you get angry or frustrated or fearful that your symptoms are getting worse, does it make them get better? NO! They get even worse, which kind of proves the point that focusing on your symptoms with negative emotions and fear does nothing more than bring about even worse symptoms.
It is hard for some people to understand that the more you let go of your attachment to your symptoms, the more you accept what is going on in your recovery, and the more you surrender that anybody owes you an explanation as to why your symptoms seem exacerbated that day, the better you get and the better things go for you in life.
It is the release of the ego, the drama, the lack of trust in yourself, and the self-criticisms that sets you free. It is getting out of your mind and into your heart that calms your symptoms and releases your dopamine.
Choosing to follow your heart to your cure includes choosing a joyful life and not letting your mind talk you out of your recovery. This is quite beautiful, and it works. I know many of you who are doing this already, and I am seeing it work for you, too. When you choose to view your life from a joyful heart, you feel your recovery in your life and you feel your Parkinson’s recovery in everything you say and everything you do.
When you follow your heart in choosing how to view your life, you become consumed with faith, hope, love, compassion, forgiveness, acceptance, surrender, happiness, joyfulness, contentment, and gratitude. These positive, heart-felt emotions send a beam of healing light from your heart to your head and open the dopamine faucet so you can, as our cured-from-Parkinson’s friend Marie suggests, “give your brain a lovely dopamine bath!”
Take a moment and sit with that: “give your brain a lovely dopamine bath!” Aaaahhhh….”
Henry Ford said, “Whether you think you can or you think you can’t, you’re right.”
Howard Shifke says, “Whether you think you are getting better or you think you are getting worse, you’re right.”
You get to choose how you think and how you feel. Choose wisely.
Follow your heart all the way to your full recovery…it knows the way!
You are worth it!!!
All my best,
Howard
So freeing… thank you Howard.
Good one Howard. Makes perfect sense – I just bathed the brain…..
Well said Howard. We need to do our part in this process. Thanks for the reminder.
Marie in SC
Wow this makes so much sense to me and I feel it’s powerful truth!
Thank you Howard
Words of wisdom Howard. Thank you.
Patricia (UK)
Thank you Howard. Another affirmation for my collection. “I choose to follow my heart to my full recovery. ”
I continue to have great days in my recovery. I can see the finish line in the distance however far that may be. Feeling full of gratitude and joy. My love to all xx
As someone who has had this temporary condition for 18 years now and worked with my father who passed after 14 years with Parkinsons; I’d say that I know a lot about this condition. That being said, Howard, you’re amazing and we are all so frickin’ lucky that you have chosen to speak up every week about how to fight this temporary condition. It’s taken me 2 years to start my journey on kicking Parkinsons ass. I decided about a month ago when I had back surgery that it’s time to get rid of P and if I really want to fight P just read, reread and do all that Howard writes about. I’ve lowered my pill dosage 25% and after 16 years on the meds, I can’t tell you how excited I am. My western dr doesn’t not approve but he’s cured no-one in the 40 years I’ve known him. I don’t fault him, it’s just how he was taught. Peace, Love & UBUNTU “I Am Because We Are”
This is the kind of thing I say to myself when I am giving myself a good talking-to. I agree with Howard that the universe gives you more of what you’re thinking about most – it made me think of the Bible verse, “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” I am capable of channelling positive thoughts; my weakness is in keeping it up. Like, it’ s hard for a kid to hear that they’ve gotta be good throughout the year so Santa will bring them presents. I have a joyful heart for a week and I expect to hear sleigh bells!
I am glad that Howard has reprised his point about viewing everything that was happening to him as necessary for his recovery; I have clung to this assurance many times over during my battle with symptoms and find it a powerful aid to renewing hope.
At the end of the day, we each have to own our recovery. I know … tough, innit?
Ahhhhh!!! The guide to my full recovery was right inside me all the time!
I often feel that our western culture often does a poor job of spiritual education, the most important facet of being alive. I had to get Parkinson’s to really start learning. Thanks Howard!
How odd we put more attention to the fearful side then the opposite.
In the med world they train us to think so. So it’s peddling against the stream and follow your trust wherever it may take you. Don’t be discouraged by the world around you. Follow your way out of the jungle of negative thoughts. There are lots of meditations to find out how.
Lots of trust to you all
❤️ lala
Ur timing is exquisite Howard!!!!!!!!!!…Tom, Sedona
Great analogy, thank you, Howard.
Great analogy.. very well put up .. thank you Mr Howard..
I love this visual “give your brain a lovely dopamine bath!”
This is certainly my experience “Follow your heart all the way to your full recovery…it knows the way!”
My heart has expanded immensely because of this profound experience. I am really grateful for it.
All the love to my fellow warriors!
W’Ren
Well said. In my imagination I am overflowing my body with dopamine. Like it’s raining. And it runs and runs and runs…….
As always Howard you are so wise and encouraging. I have been down in the dump
lately and your message sent logic to my mind and “I crawled out”
What you said sounds so easy, but I find it hard to carry out. Nevertheless, I shall
do as you suggested and march to the deepest part of my heart with faith love and compassion
With thanks to you Howard
Love to all
Maree
Thank you Howard, your timing could not have been better. I just had some deep shadowed days lately and I felt like I was a prisoner in my own body; but I turned them around this week and by talking to a very good friend of mine who believes in my recovery, doing some action, and reading this blog, I got my energy flowing again. It is great to hear your words Howard, especially on days when the darkness of negative thoughts wants to come and wants to overrule my spirit. Thank you everyone else to put in your very kind lovely words. Love Uwe
Thank you Howard for the words of wisdom of following the heart all the way to full recovery as a happy joyful heart leads to recovery.
Thank you Howard for keeping that light going even these days when my symptoms feel so much worse. I sure need to do more than just question why me and I am trying my best not to do so
Thanks Howard, very insightful and will help keep me on track. I clearly see myself in your comments.
Thank you Howard for reminding us that we have a choice and for putting things in prospective. I will choose wisely!
Howard,
This could not be more timely for me. Thank you.
Thank you again Howard for a shower of encouragement. I see my recovery in every tiny improvement like better digestion. It may not be directly connected to Parkinson’s symptoms but everything is connected so if my digestion is better then I am recovering. Every day I am grateful that I can see, can hear, can go up and down the stairs, can exercise and so many other things. I do have my moments but I don’t get stuck in them, I move on. I talk to my brain every day and I know it hears me; it knows I want recovery.
Thank you Howard for the perfect timing of your words. Many Blessings.