Reality is different. We self-talk to ourselves in our heads and suggest we will never match up, but we have got to try. I just read in the paper about the soaring numbers of teenagers that feel taking their own lives is the only option because they will never measure up or be cool or fit in. One of my social media addicted friends told me she had just put aside social media and feels free. Imagine... talking, taking walks, having an adventure!
Whether it's a teenager, a social media addicted person, a person struggling with life choices or an ailing or aging person, storms are not fun. They are not fun at sea or in real life.
Funny (well not really), but I just connected this with Parkinson's. Russ and I tried to develop some resources and ideas for facing the inevitable PD storm before it hit. We tried hard to have at least talked about possibilities and solutions before they were needed. When we would need a wheelchair, a handicap vehicle, a bib, a bath chair, the transition from 2 wheel bike to tricycle... and on and on.
Parkinson's vacillates between storm and hurricane. There are definitely moments of the eye of the storm and welcome calm, but you have known from the first time you heard the words "you have Parkinson's disease" that you have a rough journey ahead. Being at sea you want to be sure sure you have a life jacket. When confronted with an approaching forest fire you want to be sure you have a grab bin of emergency supplies. And with Parkinson's, you prepare with your head, heart and hands, thinking holistically how to move through the stages with grace. Not only is it possible, but galvanizes one's sanity.