You are alive. This is a good place to start today’s discussion. Every day that I wake up in the morning, I give gratitude for another day. I started this when I had Parkinson’s and continue this today…every day is a good day because I am here.
The gift of life
As I was working through my recovery, I realized that the biggest gift was having this life, so every day I began giving gratitude for another day as I got off the bed in the morning. Yes, some mornings I woke up and thought, “Oh, it wasn’t a bad dream, I do have Parkinson’s.”
However, then I got off the bed and thanked God for another day:
“Thank you, God, for another day in a human being. I will be the best possible human being that I can be today.” And, at the end of the day when getting ready to go to sleep, “Thank you, God, for another day in a human being. I was the best possible human being that I could be today.”
I have continued this practice for sixteen years. To me, every day is a good day…I am here.
Symptoms do not define your day
I have spoken with a lot of people with Parkinson’s over the last sixteen years. Many people define a good day as mild symptoms and a bad day as bothersome symptoms. Prior to Parkinson’s, there were no Parkinson’s symptoms. You probably saw most days as good days (if you even thought about it at all), and only if something really awful happened did you think it was a bad day.
Pre-Parkinson’s, if you woke up in the morning with a stiff neck and shoulder, you probably thought you had slept on them wrong. Certainly, you did not think “My Parkinson’s is getting worse, this is a bad day.” Of course not, because there was no Parkinson’s in your life at that time. As a result of not being obsessed with the stiff neck and shoulder, the stiffness went away during the day, and you did not even notice when.
Pre-Parkinson’s, if you tripped and stumbled in public, probably the only thing you were concerned about was how awkward it looked and did anybody see you looking awkward. Certainly, you did not think “My Parkinson’s is getting worse, this is a bad day.” Of course not, because there was no Parkinson’s in your life at that time. As a result, you shrugged it off and got on with your walk.
Pre-Parkinson’s, if something happened and you got anxious and had a panic attack, whether you shook or not, you found a way to relieve the anxiety. Certainly, you did not think “My Parkinson’s is getting worse, this is a bad day.” Of course not, because there was no Parkinson’s in your life at that time.
Maintaining a faithful viewpoint
You are doing the Parkinson’s Recipe for Recovery®. You are having your recovery.
With Parkinson’s, many people’s response to changing symptoms, or waking with a stiff neck or shoulder, or stumbling, or having anxiety with some extra shaking is: “My Parkinson’s is getting worse, this is a bad day.” That is how you live your symptoms in fear. It is not how you live your life in faith and recovery.
As discussed above, pre-Parkinson’s, you would have accepted waking with a stiff neck or shoulder, or stumbling, or having anxiety, as part of your flow of life. By accepting these things as part of the flow of life, you did not live in fear of them, and they went away when you were not paying attention. Actually, part of them going away was simply because you were not giving them any energy by paying attention to them.
The thing to know is this: they were the same stiff neck or shoulder, the same stumble, and the same anxiety…NOTHING CHANGED, except your viewpoint.
Pre-Parkinson’s viewpoint, “No big deal.”
Parkinson’s viewpoint: “My Parkinson’s is getting worse, this is a bad day.”
You are here, and today is a good day
You are here, and today is a good day. You are alive, and today is a good day. If you are doing the Recipe, today is a good day, and you are having your recovery.
If you want to recover from Parkinson’s, then you need to begin responding to life, not to symptoms. When you did not have Parkinson’s, good days and bad days were decided by events occurring in those days. And, almost every day was considered a good day unless something really unpleasant occurred.
Even if something unpleasant occurred, you probably did have let it ruin your good day, so almost every day was seen as a good day. It is time to make that shift back to looking at life, not Parkinson’s symptoms, and once again seeing your days as good days. Here is a look at life after your recovery.
Post-Parkinson’s, if you wake up in the morning with a stiff neck and shoulder, you probably will think that you had slept on them wrong. Certainly, you will not think “My Parkinson’s came back, this is a bad day.” Of course not, because you will be recovered from Parkinson’s.
Post-Parkinson’s, if you trip and stumble in public, probably the only thing you will be concerned about is how awkward it looks and you will laugh at how you used to worry who may have seen you looking awkward. Certainly, you will not think “My Parkinson’s came back, this is a bad day.” Of course not, because you will be recovered from Parkinson’s.
Post-Parkinson’s, if something happens and you get anxious, you will not shake, and you will find a way to relieve the anxiety. Certainly, you will not think “My Parkinson’s came back, this is a bad day.” Of course not, because you will be recovered from Parkinson’s.
As you can see, when your mind and heart are in a healthy place, it does not matter what is occurring in your physical body — every day is a good day. How about that!
Please post a comment below by copying and pasting these words:
(After you copy and paste the words below, please feel free to add whatever else you wish letting us why today is a good day for you).
I am here. I am alive. I am doing the Recipe. I am having my recovery. Today is a good day.
You are worth it!!!
All my best,
Howard
I am here. I am alive. I am doing the Recipe. I am having my recovery. Today is a good day.
Today I heard Eckhart Tolle ask: Who are you without your past?
This made me pause…
I realized that ALL my negative thoughts about my symptoms stem from the past:
from the acknowledgment that I was diagnosed with PD (past),
from remembering “bad days” (past),
and from assuming the past will repeat itself (it will not!)
Today I affirm that I no longer look at my past to determine my present, or my future.
I now look at my present only:
“I am here. I am alive. I am doing the Recipe. I am having my recovery. Today is a good day.”
Thank you, Howard for this essential reminder!
And thank you fellow Recovery Warriors for bravely traveling this path together.
We ARE worth it, one and all!
I am here. I am alive. I am doing the Recipe. I am having my recovery. Today is a good day.
I have to chuckle Howard because this is so true! Thank you for the reminder! Today is a good day because I am alive! Now that’s the best gift of all!
And so it is…
I am here. I am alive. I am doing the Recipe. I am having my recovery. Today is a good day.
Wonderful!!
Thanks Howard for this reminding us of this profound truth!
Thank you all, fellow warriors, for sharing your truth as well.
I am here. I am alive. I am doing the Recipe. I am having my recovery. Today is a good day.
Everyday now I see as a good day, like yourself Howard every morning & evening I give praise to God for all that He provides daily, stronger health, food on the table, a warm bed, roof over my head, clean drinking water, family, an opportunity to praise Him, etc.
Thank you Howard for the weekly emails & thank you fellow warriors for sharing your stories, they keep me positive. I am now jogging & cycling 2 to 3 times a week & also doing strength exercises.
I feel great & I am grateful.
How wonderful! Keep going!
I am here. I am alive. I am doing the Recipe. I am having my recovery. Today is a good day.
I am here. I am alive. I am doing the Recipe. I am having my recovery. Today is a good day.
I am here. I am alive. I am doing the Recipe. I am having my recovery. Today is a good day.
Howard, there is no time like the present, and right NOW all is good. What could be more perfect!?
Thank you for the reminder.
I am here. I am alive. I am doing the Recipe. I am having my recovery. Today is a good day.
Every day I thank God for giving me this day and count my blessings. Thank you Howard for another inspiring post.
I am here. I am alive. I am doing the Recipe. I am having my recovery. Today is a good day.
Today has been another great healing day as I had increased symptoms.
I am here.
I am alive.
I am doing the Recipe.
I am having my recovery. Today is a good day. :)
I have also taken my dog for a walk as well and I have enjoyed the nature’s views and smells as well. :)
I am here and I am alive and today is a good day. I think of you every day Howard and how much I’ve learned from your blog and from doing the recipe.
I am here. I am alive. I am doing the Recipe. I am having my recovery. Today is a good day.
I am here. I am alive. I am doing the Recipe. I am having my recovery. Today is a good day.
I am here. I am alive. I am doing the Recipe. I am having my recovery. Today is a good day.
This is the day that the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it!
Thank you Howard!
I am here. I am alive. I am doing the Recipe. I am having my recovery. Today is a good day.
I am alive, and that is enough. I am doing the Recipe, and that is good. I am recovering, and that is a blessing. Thank you!
I am here. I am alive. I am doing the Recipe. I am having.
My recovery. Today was a good day.
Thank you Howard…I’m so grateful for you and for waking me up
up today and every day. No matter what, thank you!
I am worth it, we all are.
I am here. I am alive. I am doing the Recipe. I am having my recovery. Today is a good day! Thank you Howard for your inspiration!
I’m very happy for Thando M. I have the feeling that he will be soon fully recovered! We are all worth it! We are all extraordinary!!
I am here. I am alive. I am doing the Recipe. I am having my recovery. Today is a good day.
Every morning is an opportunity to decide it’s going to be a good day!
Thanks, Howard :)
Today is a wonderful day because I am alive.
I’m so grateful for all the love that I have in my life and I am my own cure.
I choose to be defined by my vision of the future rather than memories from the past.
We are worthy!
I am here. I am alive. I am doing the Recipe. I am having my recovery. Today is a good day.
Exactly. You are right. It was only after the diagnosis that the Parkinson’s really began to take hold. It is astonishing what the mind can do.
Thank you, Howard, for this important insight. I have always felt this way too. Your confirmation gives me confidence.
Thank you so very much.