It seems like my life is full of bad news lately, much of it related to my friends with Parkinson’s. I am happy that we can all share in our challenges and understand the value of having someone to talk with during difficult times, however, it can be really depressing. I have decided that it’s time to start looking for good news and sharing our victories alongside our struggles. Let’s talk about tropical vacations or coming home from the hospital feeling great. I want to hear about new grandbabies or share pictures of spring flowers in my yard. I need something to offset the losses we are all facing, no matter how trivial it may seem.

I recall learning somewhere that it takes five positive comments to counteract the effects of one negative comment. I wonder how that principle applies to positive and negative messages or activities? What I do know is that it is much easier to face my day when I focus on the good around me than when I let the bad creep in and take over. And let’s face it, caring my husband with PD is going to bring some bad stuff to my days. Even if my positive activities are minimal, something like making our favorite meal or playing with the cat, experiencing them fully can help change the tone of my day.

So here goes, my daffodils are starting to bloom, the sun was shining yesterday and I got to go for a walk in our neighborhood. We’ve been waiting on a new speech program for my husband and he finally gets to start tomorrow. We’re having dinner with friends tonight, something we don’t get to do often enough. Someone I worked with a decade ago reached out last weekend to say that she was thinking of me. That’s six positive thoughts. Maybe focusing on these things won’t make the bad go away, but it can’t hurt which may be all I can ask for in this journey as a PD CarePartner. I will tolerate the bad, engage in the good, and keep moving forward as I strive to live my life fully.