I was participating in a Parkinson’s Foundation Mindfulness Monday webinar recently and the psychologist who was presenting shared a truth I hadn’t considered. She talked about the emotions surrounding a Parkinson’s journey, whether we are the one with it or the one caring for them, and how they seem contradictory at times. One example she gave that really struck a nerve with me was that I can feel gratitude alongside grief. As a matter of fact, she indicated that it would be unusual not to feel both at times. It’s okay for me to be grateful for what we still have while at the same time grieving what PD has taken from us.

She shared a couple of other examples as well, being hopeful even though we are scared, being resilient but tired. As I thought about her words, it struck me just how true they were and that I often try to stuff the negative side rather than acknowledge it. I even feel guilty at times for letting those doubts come in, but I shouldn’t. Her final activity was to have us repeat “I am doing my best at all times and I am enough.” It’s amazing how therapeutic those words can be.

Sometimes it helps to recognize what I am feeling and let it happen. I was at the scared stage the other day and was able to share some of my concerns with my husband. There were even tears for a while. He listened, we talked, and I walked away in a more hopeful state. It was good for both of us. I think I’ll try to fit Mindfulness Mondays into my schedule more often as they do seem to help.

These 30 minute sessions are found on the web at https://www.parkinson.org/resources-support/online-education/pdhealth#mm. The one I mentioned in this article was from June 8^th, 2026.