“The key to life is resilience….We will always be knocked down. It’s the getting up that counts.” Dominique Browning
“Hope is a waking dream.” Aristotle
Ogunquit, Maine: We recently had the pleasure of visiting this beachside community. It was in June, their summertime; to me, it was springlike in temperature and low in humidity, the sun shining strongly in Maine, the northeasternmost state in the New England region of the United States.
For a lot of reasons that will remain unspoken, this place was almost magical. Simply stated, it would be hard not to be happy here. We were very happy with our 3 days in Ogunquit.
“Strength is a matter of a made up mind.” John Beecher
Slogans on a Wall in Ogunquit: Along one of several walks we took, we came upon a stone wall with many stones bearing slogans/quotes/comments on them and comments, set into the rocky support. We read many of them, I took photos of only four rocks, and they are presented here for your thinking and commemorative pleasure.
With Parkinson’s, one gets used to the challenge of living. As each new hour leaps forward, we have an inner voice that says, “You will not defeat me, Parkinson’s. When you knock me down, I am going to get up and keep going.” As your body takes the brunt of Parkinson’s punches, stay strong against the adversity thrown at you, keep focused on the current day, the last hour, the most important minute ahead, and the right now.
“Resilience is accepting your new reality, even if it’s less good than the one you had before. You can fight it, you can do nothing but scream about what you’ve lost, or you can accept that and try to put together something that’s good.” Elizabeth Edwards
You have a history before Parkinson’s; the current point in time still has meaning, it still ranks as a poignant, memorable moment. Life is not static, while it may not be exciting, there is still a spark inside of you that can still flourish, and it can still bear happiness and fulfillment. Parkinson’s goal is to get you to realize that your life is worthless; by contrast, you already know you are capable of many more meaningful moments. Stand your ground against this scourge named Parkinson’s.
“If we believe that tomorrow will be better, we can bear a hardship today” Nhat Hanh
Unfortunately, our choices are harder with Parkinson’s than they were before (well, I think so). Each breath you take matters today; each drop of sweat off your forehead matters as well. The lethargy you feel right now is the will of Parkinson’s winning; fight it, get up, and get going. Breathe, move your feet, stretch your shoulders, look up, then down. Use hope as fuel to keep going, no matter which direction you’re heading, just get going and do it. Hope matters.
“But hope has an astonishing resilience and strength. Its very persistence in our hearts indicates that it is not a tonic for wishful thinkers but the ground on which realists stand.” Kathleen Norris
Do not ignore your support system, given by friends, relatives, co-workers, partners, and spouses. They are also living with this disease of yours, but without the physical problems; they are acutely aware of your skirmishes against Parkinson’s. While their words of support may sound stern and forceful, they are not necessarily meant to soothe; they are for support and scaffolding to help you engage in your daily life.
“Be around people who can keep your energy and inspiration high. While you can make progress alone, it’s so much easier when you have support.” Joe Vitale
Before arriving in Ogunquit, we visited the Portland Head Light. This lighthouse stands proudly at the entrance to the Portland Harbor. Surrounding this structure is a rock-laden shoreline, quite striking in its beauty. Among the strengths of these rocks were the small, isolated plants growing on their rocky perches. It seemed to me that it took perseverance for this small plant to take root; it took strength and determination to stay there, engage the sun each day, withstand the wind, and remain on this rocky foundation. It reminded me that with willpower, determination, and strength, one with Parkinson’s can keep going, can keep living.
“Life is not easy for any of us. But what of that? We must have perseverance and above all confidence in ourselves. We must believe that we are gifted for something, and that this thing, at whatever cost, must be attained.” Marie Curie
“Sail on!” it says, “sail on, ye stately ships!
And with your floating bridge the ocean span;
Be mine to guard this light from all eclipse,
Be yours to bring man nearer unto man!”
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, the complete version of the Lighthouse, click here. Longfellow was said to have penned this famous poem after spending many nights at the Portland Head Light with the keeper. The light station was finished in 1791 and is the oldest lighthouse in the state of Maine.
Cover photo image by Frank C. Chuch of Ogunquit, Maine.
Journey with Parkinson's 