We are half way into Parkinson’s Awareness Month 2026. I have explained that we have a different awareness of Parkinson’s than mostly everybody else. Today, we take that awareness even higher: choosing to follow your heart to your recovery.
Thoughts are important
Suppose every thought you had sent a vibration out to the Universe, like a ripple in the pond when you drop a stone. Also, suppose that the Universe did not interpret whether you liked or disliked your thought vibrations. Instead, the Universe 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.”
Thinking about symptoms and getting worse
You are doing the Parkinson’s Recipe for Recovery®, a soul, mind, and body healing and recovery protocol. Also, there will be times when you look or feel worse while you are getting better. It is called a healing crisis and is common in holistic healing.
However, if you choose to not accept that a healing crisis is occurring, and you choose to focus on symptoms and think you are getting worse, here is what that looks like:
“I do not like these symptoms.”
“The tremors are elevated, I am getting worse.”
“I wish I did not have Parkinson’s symptoms.”
“The symptoms are terrible and I do not want them.”
“I am having more stiffness and pain, I am getting worse.”
As you can see, all of the thoughts of symptoms and getting worse would bring you more symptoms and getting worse. Moreover, even if you were thinking how much you did not like the symptoms and had fear of getting worse, all the Universe hears is “symptoms and getting worse, symptoms and getting worse, etc.” The Universe gives you more of what you are thinking: symptoms and getting worse.
Thinking about healing and recovery
When I had Parkinson’s, I was doing the Recipe. Also, there were times when I looked or felt worse while I was getting better. I understood the healing crisis was common in holistic healing.
Additionally, I chose to accept that I was healing and having my recovery. The healing crises I faced along the way were part of the process.
Here is what it looked like when symptoms exacerbated or I felt worse:
“Thank you for the healing.”
“This is necessary for my recovery.”
“Thank you for the healing.”
“This is part of my recovery.”
“Thank you for the healing.”
“This is my recovery happening.”
In my recovery, whatever misery I was facing, I looked at it and accepted that it was necessary for my recovery, and I said, “Thank you for the healing.” Using the same analogy as above, the Universe said, “Whatever Howard is thinking about the most, he must want, so I will give him more.”
The symptoms always were there and always were changing, so I constantly was thinking and saying: “thank you for the healing,” “this is necessary for my recovery,” “this is part of my recovery,” and “this is my recovery happening.” Also, I knew this to be true.
Changes in the symptoms (often in them looking worse and feeling worse) was nothing more internal changes in my vibrational electrical flow.
I was on my way to my recovery, so everything that was happening was healing and was necessary for my recovery, plain and simple. And, the Universe delivered healing and recovery, healing and recovery, healing and recovery. If you are consumed with symptoms, then chances are the Universe is delivering to you symptoms, symptoms, symptoms.
Choosing your heart over the ego mind
When you get angry or frustrated or fearful that symptoms are getting worse, does it ever make them get better? NO! They get even worse. This helps prove the point that focusing on symptoms with negative emotions and fear does nothing more than bring about even worse symptoms.
The more you let go of the attachment to symptoms, the more you accept what is going on in your recovery. Additionally, the more you surrender that anybody owes you an explanation as to why symptoms seem exacerbated on a particular day, the better you get and the better things go for you in life.
It is the release of the ego, the drama, the self-criticisms, and the lack of trust in yourself, that sets you free. It is getting out of the mind and into your heart that calms symptoms and releases your dopamine.
Choosing to follow your heart to your full recovery
Choosing to follow your heart to your full recovery includes choosing a joyful life and not letting the 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 balance and recovery in your life and you feel your Parkinson’s recovery in everything you say and everything you do.
Also, when you follow your heart in 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. Additionally, they open the dopamine faucet so you can, as our cured-from-Parkinson’s-14.5-years-ago warrior and 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…….
Conclusion
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!
Please post a comment below letting us know how you are doing in choosing to follow your heart to your full recovery.
You are worth it!!!
All my best,
Howard
I truly believe in infinite possibilities — and one of them is my recovery from Parkinson’s. I am worth it. I was diagnosed in October 2024. Since then, I’ve been committed to my routine — following the recipe, acupressure and doing fast walking. Every alternate day, I walk or partially jog around 8.5–8.6 km in about an hour, and I practice the recipe twice daily.
I’ve already seen meaningful improvements — most of my non-motor symptoms have reduced significantly to the point that they don’t bother me anymore. To me, that is a clear sign that healing is happening.
Even if my motor symptoms fluctuate or feel worse at certain times during the day, I accept it. It’s part of the process. I see it not as a setback, but as a step along the path — a sign that I am moving forward, gradually progressing toward better health.
The journey continues — steady, patient, and determined.
I know I am in recovery and accept that the increased symptoms I am experiencing are evidence of recovery and I am grateful. I know that they will pass and instead of spending my time focusing on them I meditate and focus on the ocean of qi surrounding me and the collective healing field generated by Howard and my fellow warriors. My nails are growing rapidly, my sense of smell is very strong and I am sleeping very well, so evidence of recovery. Much love to Howard and you all.
I choose to face every day with a positive heart, with joy, love, peace and gratitude in my heart . It’s amazing how when you let happiness in your heart you feel uplifted and able to face things head on. I am on the road to recovery and I am worth it. Thank you Howard
Thank you Howard! I am getting better at not focusing so much on my tremors. They have calmed a little. I did get my taste & smell back! Praise God! I’m now focusing on the symptoms that have improved. I will recover! Many prayers to all of us for a full recovery! God Bless!
I seek non-attachment.
“OK. Thank you.”
Every day, I must practice acceptance so that I may welcome the healing.
I have the power to heal myself.
The Recipe is my path to healing.
I am following my heart to my full recovery. Truly, is there any other way?
And so it is…
Thank you, Howard for this lovely post.
Yes!
This was the perfect message for me today!
‘Own the moment!’
Thank you Howard! You are a true inspiration and blessing to us all!
“Thank you for the healing.”
“This is necessary for my recovery.”
“Thank you for the healing.”
“This is part of my recovery.”
“Thank you for the healing.”
“This is my recovery happening.”
I had already read this morning’s blog from Howard and I was experiencing extra stiff legs this morning. As I was feeding “FELIX” my very first grandson, a bottle of formula, I began paraphrasing the above mantra and 30 minutes later, I was moving about minus the extra stiffness in my legs! So here it is again:
“Thank you for the healing.”
“This is necessary for my recovery.”
“Thank you for the healing.”
“This is part of my recovery.”
“Thank you for the healing.”
“This is my recovery happening.”
Thank you Howard and thank you to all of you for your encouraging posts!
Gary
Love that mantra…Well Done
A long time ago I heard from a spiritual teacher:
‘Yes’ means come to me this thing I want.
‘No’ means come to me this thing I don’t want!
My ‘No’ is lessening considerably and continually, as I keep choosing to think and feel ‘Yes’ to hope, faith, gratitude, self acceptance, and solid knowing I am recovering, and I’m worth it, as we ALL are!
Much gratitude, Howard!
Beautifully put Howard!
Thank you Howard for demonstrating right thinking!
Howard, thank you for your encouraging words. They really helped me. Thanks again.
“Thank you for the healing.”
“This is necessary for my recovery.”
“Thank you for the healing.”
“This is part of my recovery.”
“Thank you for the healing.”
“This is my recovery happening.”
Thank you Howard!
Based on what Howard says, I am getting better and I am right. From the outside my symptoms may not show this, however from my heart I know this is it true.
Have faith everyone. Believe it and you will see it.
I have learned and still learn through this ordeal, that HEART is proven to be a leader and mind to be a follower. If the opposite happens that is when mind is a leader and heart becomes a follower, then the day is twice as hard!
I have thus printed the words-emotions causing the “beam of healing light from your heart to your head” . I made this into small laminated papers together with other short phrases with Dopamine benefits. I have placed these next to my desktopo computer. Thank you Howard!!
Brilliance Howard!
Everyday sending healing to fellow healers and your light is integral to my path.
The recipe works and I’m a believer!
Thank you ALL!
So very grateful to Howard for your continued guidance.
I know that I will be having my full recovery.
I’ve started doing Tia chi daily and it’s
amazing how calming I’ve found it to be.
Thank you for the healing,
This is my recovery happening!!!
Thank you, Howard. Your messages are so powerful!
What a helpful and timely post for me Howard. I literally had a talk with myself the other day, telling myself that I am allowed to believe whatever I want (such freedom!) and that I can choose to believe my symptoms are part of the healing process or I can believe that they are me getting worse. My choice. So why not believe they are a bump on the road to recovery? This is much easier on my mind and keeps it on a helpful track.
I love reading all the comments from this incredible, courageous group of warriors. Much love to you all
Letting go of the ego and living life from the heart is my way to recovery.
I’m joining forces with the Universe to say yes to healing and abundant health. Thank you, God for your blessings and strength. Howard, you have been a great inspiration.
I believe that the recipe is working and I know that I’m on my way to recovery! My tremor is less, my taste and smell came back, I sleep better, and the fine motor skills are better! I’m trying to think positive and repeat “Thank you for the healing! It is necessary for My recovery!” Thank you Howard and all warriors for the inspiration!
Thank you for all the nice things you write. I am so grateful that you make this effort to write every week. For me, this is something that I can hold on to. When hope fails, you are there to guide me back to the right path. You are like a light in the tunnel when everything else is pitch black! Thank you!!!
Thank you, Howard! This is exactly what I needed to hear today. Thank you for being part of my healing journey.
Choosing to follow my heart to my full recovery.
Thanks Howard!
Thank you.
I can follow my heart all the way to my full recovery…it knows the way!