I see all around me great bravery great feats and achievements. Some people are climbing mountains others are running marathons, there are magnificent painters and artists of all different types producing amazing expressionfull creative pieces.
All these people living with Parkinson's Disease have found a way of managing or coping through these gifts and talents, that is a wondrous thing indeed.
However I am not one of them. And in the face of such bravery and motivation does it make me feel that I don't deal with my Parkinson's as effectively or us impressively as others? indeed one could view their successes as a measure for my own failure. I have been thinking this overnight trapped in my body in my usual night-time paralysis. The thing about comparisons is that we can make the mistake of comparing apples and pears. I truly believe that the sucess of living with this condition lies in one thing and one thing alone. It is and will remain my primary Focus above anything else, it is simply happiness.
The power of happiness is so strong that it can transcend any physical hardship or frustration this I know is absolutely true. Laughter joy and fun melt away my Parkinson's like a piece of ice under a blowtorch it simply evaporates.
My happiness comes from what I call tiny big things it's those things which are accessible to all of us they don't require any Talent they don't require any massive challenge they don't require me to be brave inspiring a motivational they simply require me to recognise them for what they are.
Today my tiny big things include going to the vegetable market and buying the best leeks you could possibly eat the biggest cauliflower and the crunchiest apples. I am also going to walk albeit slowly to the post office to collect my husband's parcel but on the way I'm going to make a point of stopping and speaking to people laughing sharing a joke and smiling. I might even stop at the local cafe and spend £2 on the creamiest most indulgent hot chocolate you can have. And if that isn't enough when I get home I might even watch an episode of Star Trek.
My TBT world is absolutely perfect for me.
Have a good day where ever you are whatever you do.
There is no greater bravery than someone who has to live with Parkinsons or their carer. We know we can't win but won't give in . I take my hat off to you all .
You are such an inspiration and I love to read your words, they flow so easily, that is an art in itself and you do bring humor into it in a different way. Your words make all of us smile.
That's a large accomplishment in my world. I am not winning any marathons but stay in the race, so to speak. Small things are indeed, large. Like talking on the phone for me. Tires me out just listening and responding and thinking quickly. Yesterday I hit the deadline for the pill and was in the grocery store. Had to stop, buy water and swallow right there in the veggie section so I could get through the store and not go over time and have to catch up. I can XX ski in smaller amounts of time. Surprisingly enough the action in this type of activity is 'natural' and I have also done this throughout most of my life so the skill is inherent not new.
Take care everybody. We are different, but the same.
When I was 19 (I'm now 70), I went to Europe by myself for 11 weeks, not knowing where I was going, how I would get there or any other information that might be considered important. When I arrived in London it dawned on me that this might not be such a good idea. I found a place to stay and dropped off my luggage, then marched resolutely along the sidewalks in a light rain. Passersby looked at me quizzically so I avoided their eyes. I wanted nothing more than to cry. I passed a flower vendor, paused, and bought a red rose. Everyone smiled at me as I walked with my wet rose down the wet street in my wet jacket. I smiled back.
A perspective,having read your post, was emailing it to members of a local Support Group that I belong to. When thinking about your affirmation to happiness, . I was taken by the recognition of what a marvelous gift it really is. In deed I would make the argument it is healing.
Although, I don't live in a large community. with 60K residents in our county, given the incidence of PD, their should enough folks with PD around, that recruiting for our Support Group should not be a hassle, but it is. What is going on?. Depression is what seems to be happening.
Fo r example, occasionally a Caretaker will show up without their Patient. Recently this happened, hte lady reported that her husband, was recently (six months ago) diagnosed with PD, although having few symptoms, had crashed on the couch, essentially refusing to leave the house.. She herself as a Caretaker needed support.
Often recruiting because if HIPPA involves indirect contact. Somebody you know, knows of someone else with PD, supply then with a brochure to introduce the group.
No one shows up. Later get feedback, that they are to depressed to attend, or imagine that attending would make their upset worse.
Indeed the happiness your share, makes a world of difference., it is healing.
Thank you for sharing my post to a wider audience, I'm very warmed by this gesture. I am wholeheartedly with you and hope you have a very happy day. Mine has started well, reading this 😃😃😃
What a lovely idea! So many times I have felt inadequate in the wake of others' physical, musical or artistic acievements but being honest I think PD has just highlighted weaknesses that were already there.
I was never destined to compose a symphony, climb a major mountain or create an artistic masterpiece. Sometimes our achievements may be celebrated in small ways as you suggest. As a (retired) teacher two examples come to mind - one recent ........I was visiting a friend in a hospice when a lady doctor stopped me in a corridor & asked me if I had taught at a local secondary school in the 1970s. On my acknowledgement she thanked me for helping her to pass A level Biology with a good enough grade to study medicine & gave me a hug!...... & another (tiny) step for mankind - thanks to social media I am in regular touch with the first class of a local primary school at which I started teaching in 1969.
Keep the positives coming, your input is appreciated,
Oh I so like that. You genuinely changed lives, how brilliant! I re posted a great piece on teachers today on FB. I'm too stupid to work out how to share it but it is so worth googling.... Taylor Mali 'teacher poem'
You are an inspiration and I try to live my life the same way. I was so pleased today when I went to my Tai Chi class that another member of the class was unaware I had PD. I have been going for 18 months and love it as it takes me out of myself, as does Yoga. At least I feel I am doing something positive to fight PD. My gorgeous grandchildren help too! Keep up your positive posts.
Once again you have got us thinking. Me especially. It is 5am and I have been awake for most of the night. This when I play catch up with my life. I would rather be asleep! I have my two youngest grandchildren (aged 3 and 7) staying with me. Hard work, but delighted that their parents have trusted me with their two most treasured possessions. Where would I be without my grandchildren?
I am going to try and find a class locally where I can try Thai Chi. See you swimming has inspired me to break out of my comfort zone.
Please keep posting, I am mid way through a course of B12 injections which I hope may give me some more energy.
There will always be people who refuse to respect you - the way you look, the way you talk, the things you say, the styles you enjoy, your beliefs,your interests, your loves, etc
In other words, they won't support you in being true to yourself.
It's up to you if you want to let them mess with your character, or if you would rather stand up for yourself and accept yourself just the way you are.
Do your best to be as good as you can be,and if that's not enough for someone, it surely will be for someone else.
You are not here to please everyone, and you are certainly not here to please them at the expense of your own truth.
Care less what they say and smile more about what you know is true.
Live your life and be happy with yourself, without their judgements.
If you are unhappy now,it's not someone else's fault. As soon as you stop making everyone and everything else responsible for your happiness the happier you will be.
Love openly and honestly. There is never a perfect time or place for love.It happens naturally and accidentally. Where there is true love there is true life.Don't let anyone stop you from loving. Don't let anyone stop you from living.
Joy comes easy to us in our youth because we haven't become set to firmly in our ways.
Our willingness to curiously assess new situations and varying perspectives allows us to experience flashes of insight and beauty wherever we go.
Those of us who fight the draw of our comfort zones as we age, who sustain our curiosity into our later years, learn a lot more and experience far more happiness in the long run.
Curiosity is the foundation of lifelong growth.
It allows us to retain a beginners mind even as our wisdom expands
An enduring curiosity permits our hearts and minds to grow younger, not older every day.
Always remain curious and teachable.
Keep an open mind and do not stop questioning and learning.
Look forward, open new doors and experience new things,because you're curious.
Find the strength to keep going, even when the going gets tough.
Good things don't come to those who wait.
You know you will never get to a place where there is nothing left to experience and learn.
.
Happiness is a mindset that can only be designed into the present.
It is not a point in the future or a moment from the past.
So many people think all their happiness awaits them in the years ahead, or their best moments behind them. Don't let the past, or the future, steal your present contentment. LIVE FOR TODAY.
Your heart will wither if it does not occasionally answer another heart. Your mind will shrink away if it hears only the echoes of your own thoughts,and finds no other inspiration or relevant conversation.So whatever it is that makes you happy ,DO IT AND SHARE IT. Don't hide it and hoard it!
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And you have inspired me to buy some Maltesers tomorrow!
Matt Eagles: Positivity in Adversity – 46 years living with Parkinson’s
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