“Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.” Marianne Williamson
“Turn to the light. Don’t fear the shadow it creates.” Ted Dekker
Preface: I was born in the 1950s, but I remember growing up in the 1960s on an Air Force Base near the Pacific Ocean, between San Francisco and Los Angeles. My father worked on a missile project, but that is all I knew. However, it was an ideal life for me, playing the sports of each season, football, basketball, and baseball.
We used to get TV stations from Los Angeles, and I can remember watching the “Twilight Zone” and the “Outer Limits,” and science fiction movies of that time period. Later, in Junior High, I watched the original release of the TV show “Star Trek”. In college and graduate school, I read regularly “The Lord of the Rings” by J.R.R. Tolkien and many other fantasy- and science-fiction-based books and series (and eventually, movies and TV shows), including the “Foundation Series ” by Isaac Asimov, “Dune Series” by Frank Herbert, “Chronicles of Narnia Series” by C.S. Lewis, “Interview with the Vampire “ by Anne Rice, and “A Wizard of Earthsea Series” by Ursula K. Le Guin. Furthermore, yes, I read and enjoyed “The Harry Potter Series” of books by J. K. Rowling.
Even now, at 72, I just finished watching the TV adaptation of “The Wheel of Time Series” by Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson. Many have compared it to Tolkien’s “The Lord of the Rings” Series. This fantasy-based story centered on the good-versus-evil struggle, with many memorable characters, rich geographical settings, and a nice use of old and new languages. Moreover, as in the best of any fantasy world, the good was depicted as the “Light” and the evil as the “Dark(ness)”. Bridging the light-dark boundaries was a “Shadow” that served as a signal of approaching doom and unbridled evil.
“Darkness within darkness. The gateway to all understanding.” Laozi
Introduction: I have always depicted our resistance to the changes Parkinson’s promotes as a battle. Clearly, I see the good as the light, the evilness of Parkinson’s as the dark, and the fact that we all have a shadow from this disorder. Each shadow would be uniquely ours as we stand between light and dark, as is the disorder different in us all.
Recently, it was the harsh winter (I know, geez, I live in South Carolina) that found me in a rut. Additionally, Susan told me that I have been lethargic and doing too much sitting in my office (working at my desk, reading about Parkinson’s, watching TV, and spending time with the ever-present company of one of our two cats, Mr. Milo). After thinking about it, she was right, I needed to be kicked awake, reminded of the battle I (we) am (are) fighting against Parkinson’s.
As said by Gregory Maguire, “The eye is always caught by light, but shadows have more to say.” My/our battle does not compare to the current real war between the U.S./Israel, and Iran, and its worldwide consequences. Our battle is self-titled and focused within our own minds. Here is your renewed call to action to not sit all day, get up, get going, and keep going to remove the shadow we know as Parkinson’s. Finally, here is a reminder using some words and ideas covered many times in this blog:
“The Battle Within Continues Against the Shadow of Parkinson’s“
Love conquers hatred.
Laughter overcomes sadness.
Positivity neutralizes negativity.
Sleep prevails over a tired mind.
Mindfulness soothes excited nerves.
Exercise invigorates the body and brain.
Hope paves a new path for life ahead.
Persistence sustains the commitment.
Education/knowledge focuses the mind.
Courage strengthens everything.
Pick one and feel the change beginning.
Choose several to improve your life’s moments.
Incorporate them all to enhance your quality of life.
The shadow of Parkinson’s will surely be diminished.
You are gaining leverage in your defense against the disorder.
As always, stay true to yourself and don’t give up, don’t ever give up.
To download a copy of the text embedded in a photograph (click here).
“Where I am today is my starting point. Who I am today is my starting point. My failures and successes of the past, my fears and hopes of the future are all shadows. Today is my reality, and I’ll use it to create my world.” Taylor Stevens
Cover Photo Image by Marek Ropella from Pixabay
Journey with Parkinson's 
