I get asked a lot of questions about dopamine, so I decided to write a series about my feelings about dopamine. Today is part 3.
Dopamine is a neurotransmitter involved in controlling movement.
If you have not read parts 1 and 2 of this dopamine discussion, please read them now:
Click here to read part 1.
Click here to read part 2.
For part 3 today, I will explain how the power of a compassionate smile increases your dopamine flow.
Many people with Parkinson’s get extremely self-conscious when going out in public. There is the whole concern of people staring and wondering what is wrong with you. You already are not happy about the way you look or move or feel, and this exacerbates the problem. Oftentimes, the sense that people are staring causes symptoms to rage out of control…more tremors, more stiffness, more slowness, more sadness. Instead of staring at the ground as you shuffle passed people in public, what if you stood as straight as possible, looked them in the eye, and gave them a great big smile. That’s right, a smile!
The difference between people having pity for you and them having compassion for you is all in how you view yourself and present yourself in public. If you are self-conscious and stare at the ground making no eye contact, people will pity you. If you hold yourself up, look them in the eye and smile, people will have compassion for you. You control how you will be viewed. Why not make it healing for yourself and for the other people.
Your smile will help with your recovery. One of the things about Parkinson’s is that you lose your ability to feel joy. Mostly, you are consumed with how badly you feel physically, mentally and spiritually. The feeling of joy opens your heart and helps the dopamine flow.
First, you need to know that if you hide Parkinson’s, then Parkinson’s wins. Second, if people are staring at you, it probably is because you are moving slowly and walking poorly. They are not thinking bad thoughts about you; they probably are confused. There is an easy fix to this. Look the person in the eye and smile. It is the compassionate thing to do for the other person and it is the compassionate thing to do for yourself.
And when you smile, make it a big, ear-to-ear smile, the kind of smile that sends a message to the other person that says, “Thank you for your compassion. I am okay.” This act all by itself will help open your dopamine faucet. But wait, it does not stop there — generally, smiles are infectious. Most of the time when you share a smile, you get one back.
This compounds the joy. The other person smiles back and their heart opens and feels joy.
Look at the power of your smile:
1. The way it is now. You are shuffling through the parking lot at the grocery store and sense somebody staring at you. Your tremors rage, you are stiff and slow, you look at the ground and you wish there was a hole you could go into. The other person remains confused by your situation and reaction. They feel pity for you.
2. Same scenario, big smile. You are shuffling through the parking lot at the grocery store and sense somebody staring at you. You look them in the eye and smile, your heart opens and you feel joy. They see your smile and smile back, and they feel joy. They have compassion for you as expressed in their smile. You see them smile back, and you feel even more joy than before…and here’s the proof that your joy opens your dopamine faucet a bit — your tremors do not rage, you do not slow down, you do not stiffen up, and you do not look at the ground — instead, you are looking for the next person to smile at because it feels so good.
This is how I began to feel joy. The sad part is that it had been so long since I had smiled so much that my face hurt. Imagine, my face hurt because I was using muscles (my smiling muscles) that I had not been using on a regular basis. In the end, this was “good pain” as my smiling helped increase my joy, which opened my dopamine faucet.
That is the power of your smile. Oh, yes, I almost forgot. Your smile sends a message to your Parkinson’s, loud and clear, “Parkinson’s, I am not afraid of you, I will not hide you, and I will not hide from you. When you try to shake me up in public, I will fight you with a smile, feel the joy in my heart, and let my dopamine flow. I have the power to heal myself, and I am!”
And then give your Parkinson’s a smile…it won’t know what to do.
Okay. That is a lot to digest today. Part 4 will be posted next week. Is everybody ready for some affirmations to support your recoveries?
Please post a comment below by copying and pasting these words:
My brain cells are alive. My dopamine reservoir is full. I am doing the Recipe, and I am fighting the Parkinson’s with a smile. The joy I feel from smiling is opening my heart to release the dopamine. I am my own Parkinson’s cure. I am extraordinary. I am recovery. AND, I AM WORTH IT!!!
Yes you are! Each and every one of you is worth it!!
All my best,
Howard
My brain cells are alive. My dopamine reservoir is full. I am doing the Recipe, and I am fighting the Parkinson’s with a smile. The joy I feel from smiling is opening my heart to release the dopamine. I am my own Parkinson’s cure. I am extraordinary. I am recovery. AND, I AM WORTH IT!!!
Thank you Howard for your ongoing support!
My brain cells are alive. My dopamine reservoir is full. I am doing the Recipe, and I am fighting the Parkinson’s with a smile. The joy I feel from smiling is opening my heart to release the dopamine. I am my own Parkinson’s cure. I am extraordinary. I am recovery. AND, I AM WORTH IT!!!
My brain cells are alive. My dopamine reservoir is full. I am doing the Recipe, and I am fighting the Parkinson’s with a smile. The joy I feel from smiling is opening my heart to release the dopamine. I am my own Parkinson’s cure. I am extraordinary. I am recovery. AND, I AM WORTH IT!!!
My brain cells are alive. My dopamine reservoir is full. I am doing the Recipe, and I am fighting the Parkinson’s with a smile. The joy I feel from smiling is opening my heart to release the dopamine. I am my own Parkinson’s cure. I am extraordinary. I am recovery. AND, I AM WORTH IT!!!
My brain cells are alive. My dopamine reservoir is full. I am doing the Recipe, and I am fighting the Parkinson’s with a smile. The joy I feel from smiling is opening my heart to release the dopamine. I am my own Parkinson’s cure. I am extraordinary. I am recovery. AND, I AM WORTH IT!!!
Yes I am, thank you Howard
Love an JOY to you and Sally and all my fellow warriors!
My brain cells are alive. My dopamine reservoir is full. I am doing the Recipe, and I am fighting the Parkinson’s with a smile. The joy I feel from smiling is opening my heart to release the dopamine. I am my own Parkinson’s cure. I am extraordinary. I am recovery. AND, I AM WORTH IT!!!
I was looking forward to continuing to clarify how it is with dopamine. Thank you, that’s exactly right. It happened to me last month, exactly the same – in front of the store. Motionless, frozen, trembling. My daughter-in-law was standing next to me, we smiled at each other and almost everything got better. At home, I realized that there was little joy in me. I thought about what makes me happy and what I can do at the moment. And there is a lot of it – reading fairy tales to the grandchildren, painting, going for walks, a good movie, gardening, exercising, sitting by the fire, meditation, prayers…. And naturally I started laughing more.
Thanks for sharing, it’s a gift to be on the same page.
My brain cells are alive. My dopamine reservoir is full. I am doing the Recipe, and I am fighting the Parkinson’s with a smile. The joy I feel from smiling is opening my heart to release the dopamine. I am my own Parkinson’s cure. I am extraordinary. I am recovery. AND, I AM WORTH IT!!!
Yes I am !
I am debating going to a graduation party for a great nephew tomorrow this may help me get out the door and go. Thank you, Howard
My brain cells are alive. My dopamine reservoir is full. I am doing the Recipe, and I am fighting the Parkinson’s with a smile. The joy I feel from smiling is opening my heart to release the dopamine. I am my own Parkinson’s cure. I am extraordinary. I am recovery. AND, I AM WORTH IT!!!
Thanks again.
My brain cells are alive. My dopamine reservoir is full. I am doing the Recipe, and I am fighting the Parkinson’s with a smile. The joy I feel from smiling is opening my heart to release the dopamine. I am my own Parkinson’s cure. I am extraordinary. I am recovery. AND, I AM WORTH IT!!!
My dear brothers and sister warriors!!
We are all worth it!!!
Cheese! 🤩🤩🤩
My brain cells are alive!
My brain cells are alive. My dopamine reservoir is full. I am doing the Recipe, and I am fighting the Parkinson’s with a smile. The joy I feel from smiling is opening my heart to release the dopamine. I am my own Parkinson’s cure. I am extraordinary. I am recovery. AND, I AM WORTH IT!!!
My brain cells are alive. My dopamine reservoir is full. I am doing the Recipe, and I am fighting the Parkinson’s with a smile. The joy I feel from smiling is opening my heart to release the dopamine. I am my own Parkinson’s cure. I am extraordinary. I am recovery. AND, I AM WORTH IT!!!
My brain cells are alive. My dopamine reservoir is full. I am doing the Recipe, and I am fighting the Parkinson’s with a smile. The joy I feel from smiling is opening my heart to release the dopamine. I am my own Parkinson’s cure. I am extraordinary. I am recovery. AND, I AM WORTH IT!!!
Love it! Love it! Love it! Thank you, Howard, for all you teach us from that painful journey you went through many years ago.
My brain cells are alive. My dopamine reservoir is full. I am doing the Recipe, and I am fighting the Parkinson’s with a smile. The joy I feel from smiling is opening my heart to release the dopamine. I am my own Parkinson’s cure. I am extraordinary. I am recovery. AND, I AM WORTH IT!!!
My brain cells are alive. My dopamine reservoir is full. I am doing the Recipe, and I am fighting the Parkinson’s with a smile. The joy I feel from smiling is opening my heart to release the dopamine. I am my own Parkinson’s cure. I am extraordinary. I am recovery. AND, I AM WORTH IT!!!
My brain cells are alive. My dopamine reservoir is full. I am doing the Recipe, and I am fighting the Parkinson’s with a smile. The joy I feel from smiling is opening my heart to release the dopamine. I am my own Parkinson’s cure. I am extraordinary. I am recovery. AND, I AM WORTH IT!!!
My brain cells are alive. My dopamine reservoir is full. I am doing the Recipe, and I am fighting the Parkinson’s with a smile. The joy I feel from smiling is opening my heart to release the dopamine. I am my own Parkinson’s cure. I am extraordinary. I am recovery. AND, I AM WORTH IT!!!
My brain cells are alive. My dopamine reservoir is full. I am doing the Recipe and I am fighting Parkinson’s with a smile. The joy I feel from smiling is opening my heart to release the dopamine. I am my own Parkinson’s cure. I am extraordinary. I am recovery.
AND I AM WORTH IT!!!
Bless you Howard…
My brain cells are alive. My dopamine reservoir is full. I am doing the Recipe, and I am fighting the Parkinson’s with a smile. The joy I feel from smiling is opening my heart to release the dopamine. I am my own Parkinson’s cure. I am extraordinary. I am recovery. AND, I AM WORTH IT!!!
My brain cells are alive. My dopamine reservoir is full. I am doing the Recipe, and I am fighting the Parkinson’s with a smile. The joy I feel from smiling is opening my heart to release the dopamine. I am my own Parkinson’s cure. I am extraordinary. I am recovery. AND, I AM WORTH IT!!!
My brain cells are alive. My dopamine reservoir is full. I am doing the Recipe, and I am fighting the Parkinson’s with a smile. The joy I feel from smiling is opening my heart to release the dopamine. I am my own Parkinson’s cure. I am extraordinary. I am recovery. AND, I AM WORTH IT!!!
Thank you Howard for your relentless support and your big smile, I see every week on the screen when we have our coaching sessions! Forever grateful.
Love to all,
Ola
My brain cells are alive. My dopamine reservoir is full. I am doing the Recipe, and I am fighting the Parkinson’s with a smile. The joy I feel from smiling is opening my heart to release the dopamine. I am my own Parkinson’s cure. I am extraordinary. I am recovery. AND, I AM WORTH IT!!!
My brain cells are alive. My dopamine reservoir is full. I am doing the Recipe, and I am fighting the Parkinson’s with a smile. The joy I feel from smiling is opening my heart to release the dopamine. I am my own Parkinson’s cure. I am extraordinary. I am recovery. AND, I AM WORTH IT!!!
My brain cells are alive. My dopamine reservoir is full. I am doing the Recipe, and I am fighting the Parkinson’s with a smile. The joy I feel from smiling is opening my heart to release the dopamine. I am my own Parkinson’s cure. I am extraordinary. I am recovery. AND, I AM WORTH IT!!!
Thank you, Howard, for reminding us over and over again!!!!
My brain cells are alive. My dopamine reservoir is full. I am doing the Recipe, and I am fighting the Parkinson’s with a smile. The joy I feel from smiling is opening my heart to release the dopamine. I am my own Parkinson’s cure. I am extraordinary. I am recovery. AND, I AM WORTH IT!!!
Thank you Howard! Here’s my affirmation ..
My brain cells are alive. My dopamine reservoir is full. I am doing the Recipe, and I am fighting the Parkinson’s with a smile. The joy I feel from smiling is opening my heart to release the dopamine. I am my own Parkinson’s cure. I am extraordinary. I am recovery. AND, I AM WORTH IT!!!
I agree. I just got tired of proving to those around me that I am normal, in my own way. I learned to smile and felt a lot lighter. So grateful for this discussion. Thank You.
My brain cells are alive. My dopamine reservoir is full. I am doing the Recipe, and I am fighting the Parkinson’s with a smile. The joy I feel from smiling is opening my heart to release the dopamine. I am my own Parkinson’s cure. I am extraordinary. I am recovery. AND, I AM WORTH IT!!!
My brain cells are alive. My dopamine reservoir is full. I am doing the Recipe, and I am fighting the Parkinson’s with a smile. The joy I feel from smiling is opening my heart to release the dopamine. I am my own Parkinson’s cure. I am extraordinary. I am recovery. AND, I AM WORTH IT!!!
My brain cells are alive. My dopamine reservoir is full. I am doing the Recipe, and I am fighting the Parkinson’s with a smile. The joy I feel from smiling is opening my heart to release the dopamine. I am my own Parkinson’s cure. I am extraordinary. I am recovery. AND, I AM WORTH IT!!!
My brain cells are Alive. My dopamine reservoir is full. I am doing the recipe. and I am fighting Parkinson’s, with a smile. The joy I feel from smiling is opening my heart to release the Dopamine. I am my own Parkinson’s cure. I am extraordinary I am recovery. AND, I AM WORTH IT!!!
My brain cells are alive. My dopamine reservoir is full. I am doing the Recipe, and I am fighting the Parkinson’s with a smile. The joy I feel from smiling is opening my heart to release the dopamine. I am my own Parkinson’s cure. I am extraordinary. I am recovery. AND, I AM WORTH IT!!!
Smile works like magic and helps me overcome stiffness in my movements.
My brain cells are alive. My dopamine reservoir is full. I am doing the Recipe, and I am fighting the Parkinson’s with a smile. The joy I feel from smiling is opening my heart to release the dopamine. I am my own Parkinson’s cure. I am extraordinary. I am recovery. AND, I AM WORTH IT!!!
My brain cells are alive. My dopamine reservoir is full. I am doing the Recipe, and I am fighting the Parkinson’s with a smile. The joy I feel from smiling is opening my heart to release the dopamine. I am my own Parkinson’s cure. I am extraordinary. I am recovery. AND, I AM WORTH IT!!!
Thanks Howard for your help!
My brain cells are alive. My dopamine reservoir is full. I am doing the Recipe, and I am fighting the Parkinson’s with a smile. The joy I feel from smiling is opening my heart to release the dopamine. I am my own Parkinson’s cure. I am extraordinary. I am recovery. AND, I AM WORTH IT!!!
Love to everyone
My brain cells are alive. My dopamine reservoir is full. I am doing the Recipe, and I am fighting the Parkinson’s with a smile. The joy I feel from smiling is opening my heart to release the dopamine. I am my own Parkinson’s cure. I am extraordinary. I am recovery.
AND, I AM WORTH IT!!! ❤️
My brain cells are alive. My dopamine reservoir is full. I am doing the Recipe, and I am fighting the Parkinson’s with a smile. The joy I feel from smiling is opening my heart to release the dopamine. I am my own Parkinson’s cure. I am extraordinary. I am recovery. AND, I AM WORTH IT!!!
My brain cells are alive. My dopamine reservoir is full. I am doing the Recipe, and I am fighting the Parkinson’s with a smile. The joy I feel from smiling is opening my heart to release the dopamine. I am my own Parkinson’s cure. I am extraordinary. I am recovery. AND, I AM WORTH IT!!!
My brain cells are alive. My dopamine reservoir is full. I am doing the Recipe, and I am fighting the Parkinson’s with a smile. The joy I feel from smiling is opening my heart to release the dopamine. I am my own Parkinson’s cure. I am extraordinary. I am recovery. AND, I AM WORTH IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My brain cells are alive. My dopamine reservoir is full. I am doing the Recipe, and I am fighting the Parkinson’s with a smile. The joy I feel from smiling is opening my heart to release the dopamine. I am my own Parkinson’s cure. I am extraordinary. I am recovery. AND, I AM WORTH IT!!!
My brain cells are alive. My dopamine reservoir is full. I am doing the Recipe, and I am fighting the Parkinson’s with a smile. The joy I feel from smiling is opening my heart to release the dopamine. I am my own Parkinson’s cure. I am extraordinary. I am recovery. AND, I AM WORTH IT!!!
My brain cells are alive. My dopamine reservoir is full. I am doing the Recipe, and I am fighting the Parkinson’s with a smile. The joy I feel from smiling is opening my heart to release the dopamine. I am my own Parkinson’s cure. I am extraordinary. I am recovery. AND, I AM WORTH IT!!!
Thank you Howard. I needed that today. You always have encouraging words of truth.