The Amish say "TAKE JOY" in all pieces of your day, from the tiny details of hanging laundry to the satisfaction of putting food on the table to a reunion with a friend. Each piece is important. Am I patient enough to 'take joy' in my day? If someone is wanting to pass on the road… I pull over. Truly, what is an extra 30 seconds going to cost me? If it is pouring outside (I know, rare here in Colorado) can I just rejoice in the moisture and not become frustrated because I want sunshine on whatever activity I am wanting to do. If I am a bit late starting out for town, can I glory in the fact that I have to stop four times for wildlife? Ah patience; just embrace it,
And now… with our Parkinson's challenge, how do we define patience? We have a whole new playing field! We have two choices… embrace it or fight it. And just so you know, one CAN embrace it with a bit of fight. Patience now is rejoicing in all things that may have been overlooked for a lifetime. It is acknowledging the thousands of things that have come naturally for a lifetime that can still be done, but done oh so slowly and with patience; the gift of being done independently still is a wonderful feeling. As we acclimate to living with Parkinson's, both as patient and caregiver, I'd say that often patience and gratitude become interchangeable. What does that look like this week? What are some little places where we 'take joy' with patience and gratitude?
- being able to use stairs
- doing the dishes
- getting on and off the tractor
- getting out of a chair
- showering
- accepting the fact of using a cane, walker or wheel chair where needed is needed
- washing windows
- getting through a doorway without 'freezing'
- making breakfast (but let me tell you, carrying the dishes to the table requires patience!)
So many little things that most of us can do without thought. So many little things that take a huge amount of concentration and patience, but darn, they can still be done independently. Russ is my amazing man.