Here we are at the beginning of October 2026. Nine months ago, I announced 2026 as the year of joy. How are you doing 75% of the way into the year of joy?
A basic understanding of joy
Webster’s dictionary definition of joy:
1) to experience great pleasure or delight.
2) the emotion evoked by well-being, success, or good fortune or by the prospect of possessing what one desires.
In your recovery, you need to take the basic definition and elevate the joy so that it is felt from the inside. Feeling joy should not be dependent on external factors. Also, external factors such as what is going on the world, what other people might be thinking about you, or what the Parkinson’s symptoms are doing, should not upset your internal joy.
An elevated, more spiritual understanding of joy
Spiritually, joy is a deep, enduring sense of well-being and contentment in your heart and soul. Joy is distinct from fleeting happiness influenced by what is happening outside of you. Additionally, joy is rooted in your connection with Spirit Energy: God, The Universe, Nature, The Source, The Divine, The Higher Power.
Joy on the inside is your spiritual connection with “all that is” no matter what is your religious or spiritual practice. Additionally, it requires maintaining trust and faith in your life, even amid suffering with Parkinson’s.
Also, joy is a Divine gift, a “fruit of The Spirit,” and a strength that provides inner peace and purpose. However, it is not dependent on worldly circumstances outside of you, but instead, joy is cultivated through faith and practice. Being joyful is a choice.
2026…the year of joy!…so far…
January 1, 2026 was the first installment of “2026…the year of joy!” Also, as we moved forward in this year, I have written blog posts to help you elevate from external (fleeting happiness) joy to deep, enduring joy in your heart and soul. Experiencing joy from the inside it is a process, and we are getting you there. We have the remaining 25% of the year to push everybody over the top with abundant joy.
The Parkinson’s Recipe for Recovery® is a soul, mind, and body recovery protocol. Here is a reminder of the one and only mathematical formula that I will ask you to memorize in doing the Recipe and working on your recovery:
JOY = DOPAMINE
Please post a comment below and let us know how you have been experiencing joy in 2026…the year of joy!
You are worth it!!!
All my best,
Howard
I truly am experiencing a lot of joy a lot of it is external, having two grandsons born in this past year, but I need to focus more on my inner joy in spite of frustration with Parkinson’s symptoms, etc. So, I’ll keep working on that and praying to God to help me, day by day to be joyful in all things.. I am praying for all of you in the battle against Parkinson’s and our true desire and belief that we can experience a full recovery. Thank you, Howard for all your encouragement.
I have been bringing joy into my life by surrendering the things I have no control over to God. All my fears, anxieties, hopes and dreams I have given to God to take care of them for me. The peace and joy I feel in my heart is incredible. I trust in God and have faith in my recovery. Regardless of what Parkinson’s is throwing at me God is with me!
Thank you Howard
Amen, to the year of joy! I too am experiencing joy! We just had another grandbaby in September! We also had our first baptism revival from our church as well as another church at our pond this year. A total of 34 were baptized. Praise God! I have been giving everything to God and asking for guidance 24/7. We are all worthy and we will recover! Thank you Howard for keeping us focused on God and on doing the recipe for recovery! Blessings to all!
I so appreciate reading everyone’s thoughts and encouragement!
Just 2 days ago I listened to Chip Ingram on utube. He spoke on “I Choose Joy”. I have been working on “seeing” the glass half full instead of half empty!
Blessings to all!
My experiences with joy this year have been mixed with times of great challenges. It’s made me realize, like you said Howard, that we alll have a choice to make, many times, each day: Joy or sorrow/pain. They are both there, so it’s up to each one of us to choose which one to focus on.
I choose JOY! Therefore, Joy wins and I am winning in this moment.
Blessings to you all!
I’m also experiencing joy in this year 2026 -in March I had my first grand baby(granddaughter) and I’m very happy but frustrated at times with Parkinson’s symptoms that can not help a lot! All my fears and anxieties I have given to God and praying everyday for my full recovery! I’m worth it and we are All worth it ! I’m choosing Joy! Thank you Howard! Blessings to All!
I still need to allow myself to experience that inner joy, independent of external influences. I paint with watercolors and delight in the finished piece; it sits in my gallery for a while until the next one is ready. The colors radiate outward—it brings me such immense joy, and I am grateful for this gift. I let the dopamine flow.
And yesterday, I stood on a mountain; I climbed an ascent of 400 meters and made it to the top, even though I was lacking some of my usual physical strength. Yet, my mental resilience prevailed. I felt incredible joy as I let my gaze wander across the mountains. I wish for all of us to have more moments like that. I feel calm and at ease, safe and secure. Thank you, Howard, for your support.
Howard writes above, being joyful is a choice. The first time I heard him say this, I was like, oh yeah, I can make my own joy. I don’t have to wait for it to happen outside of me. I can choose to be joyful.
I used to be stuck in the negative emotion rights: frustrated, resentful, worrisome, fearful, stressful, anxious, unforgiving, critical, and self critical! Finally, I transformed them into new positive rights: joyful, happy, fearless, compassionate, content, loving, accepting, forgiving, and grateful— my heart started to change for the better—for the joy of just about everything in life!
I began to realize that when something I would label as bad or wrong happened, like for instance, getting PD?! it was up to me to decide what meaning to give it. Instead of viewing this unexpected, unplanned happening as a disaster, I could choose to see the opportunities for my spiritual growth.
It’s not a perfect system. I forget sometimes and doubt the plan, but then I take a deep breath and joy finds its way back to my heart and I remember I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be and I’m grateful for it all. I am worthy of joy; we all are!
Thank you Howard for a consistent message throughout the year. As I practice gratitude I find that joy emerges. This demonstrates to me that joy comes from within and not from external factors, and also that joy is a choice.
I am grateful for the blogs and for everyone’s comments. They help bring joy (and hope) to my world.
I ‘m better in acceptance then at beginning of this year. That gives me joy.
My husband is helping me a lot. That gives me joy.
This community and you howard and the weekly blog is helping me a lot and bring me joy.
I’m glad to be a part of it.
Thank you!
Thank you Howard.
Definitely, JOY = DOPAMINE!
Struggling but not giving up
because I am worth it!
We are worth it!!!
I have been choosing joy daily, and really working on getting out of the way of the universe so it can work its magic. I have been experiencing joy through everyday happenings. A wonderful nights sleep, a warm shower at the end of the day, the gorgeous and magical sunrise, laughing with my children and husband, a transformational movie at the movie theater, crisp fall days, the leaves on the trees shining such a brilliant hue. What a great reminder that JOY equals dopamine!
Thank you Howard!
….and so it is…
Thank you Howard
JOY = DOPAMINE