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.”
Blog Post: July 9, 2010, “Still Symptom Free, Four Weeks”
Today, I want to revisit a lesson from my blog 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.
Controlling your efforts
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.
Accepting your full recovery outcome
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.
One month after my full recovery
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!”
Sixteen Years Later
It is sixteen years after writing that post. However, the lesson is still applicable today:
I have a positive attitude and no fear of living. Also, I still take pleasure in the moment of experiencing the journey of life as it rolls out in front of me. By controlling my efforts and making them my best efforts, I am focused on living in the moment, accepting and not resisting what life is offering. Finally, I am grateful for this life and I am joyful.
The Parkinson’s Recipe for Recovery® is here for you in the moment. You are doing the Recipe. Be in the moment of feeling the Qigong exercises. Also, be in the moment of allowing your mind to leave you in peaceful relaxation in the Recipe’s mind healing.
As you do the soul part of the Recipe, be in the moment of reconnecting with Spirit-you, and fearlessly, joyfully, gratefully, and lovingly accept yourself unconditionally, right now…in the moment.
You can do this!
Final note
Recently, I have been asked by a few people to send them videos I have posted in the past about being grateful and being happy. Here they are for all of you.
Click here for a reminder about being grateful.
Click here for a reminder about being happy.
Please post a comment letting us know how you are doing in being focused in the moment with gratitude and joy.
You are worth it!!!
All my best,
Howard
“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.”
This spoke to me greatly, focusing on doing the right things, eating healthy, exercising, doing the recipe consistently, the results are sure to come. My full continuous recovery. Day by day I am feeling stronger & stronger.
Thank you 🙏, I am grateful for the challenge, I have learned so much. Thank you Howard. Thank you my fellow warriors. Stay blessed
Namaste
This is a good reminder, Howard, to focus on the now. It’s all we have. Or, in other words, it’s everything.
Thank you for reminding us of this focus. I am grateful for your example.
I have never once doubted that I would cure myself from Parkinson’s sometime in the future!! For me, the biggest challenge has been fear.. I have been doing a great job every day of living in the moment and pushing through that fear. Over time there has become less and less fear in my life! It is a beautiful thing, and there’s nothing to fear!! it’s just familiar. Now it feels unfamiliar, and that is a beautiful thing.
Thank you for this wonderful post Howard.
And so it is…
Thank you Howard for this post and the reminder to live in the moment. I know I will have a full recovery at some point in the future and in the meantime I intend to live my life to the best of my ability to stay positive and grateful and happy!
WOW! Thanks Howard for sharing what happens when you are in the moment.
Awesome, and oh so true!
Thanks Howard, for once again simply sharing your experience.
Powerful!
I’m grateful for you, Howard!
I’m grateful for this moment, this breath, this smile, this knowing, this certainty in my full recovery, even this moment of fear, which points the way to letting it go, again and again, returning to Now!
And I’m grateful for you all, brave recovery warriors, for our shared journey….
Thank you Howard for this post and the reminder to live in the moment. It is a good thing that you point out: We are not in control outcomes, and we are in control of our efforts. I am certain that full recovery as possible and that it is God’s will and in his timing.
Thank you for the great info.
I think about PD reversal all the time–and give thanks in advance. What will I do first, who will I tell first, and what to expect? I visualize the answers all the time.
Thank you for this very valuable fact Howard.
I am confident that my recovery will happen
when it meant to be and in the meantime I do
my best to be grateful and joyful on a daily basis.
I choose faith…. I am recovery….I am worth it.
We are worth it!!!
I’d just like to share my certainty that I’m going to have a full recovery. I look forward to “putting the key in the ignition” and feeling everything start…most of the time, because I can only control my efforts but not outcomes. I’m losing my fear of life, turning my back on the past and recognizing the joy in each moment that is now. I am grateful all the support surrounding me and sustaining me. I am welcoming to new additions: two baby dove chicks hatched on the top shelf of the piece of furniture that is outside on my patio! They are well protected and being nourished by both mama and daddy dove. And providing delight and joy to everyone who visits.