“Shaken, Not Stirred”

The ability to laugh at yourself is invaluable. But it is especially important when you have a chronic disorder that doesn’t seem very funny. I have found that a good sense of humor drastically changes your mood, your attitude and your condition. When I was first diagnosed with Parkinson’s, my family approached me with caution, but quickly found that my sense of humor was not impaired. We always communicated with comedy which got us through some tough times in life so it just seemed natural to find the funny in Parkinson’s. Thus, came the jokes, puns, and catch phrases. The one I best remember and still use today is, “shaken, not stirred.” It makes me laugh and it always makes others feel more comfortable when I say it.  My lightheartedness gives permission to others to be at ease around me. In a split second, a barrier is broken down and we move on to a normal conversation. Don’t get me wrong, there are days when I cannot seem to find the humor in the tremors, or the fatigue, or the loss of smell or the imbalance. On those days, I allow myself a blue day and let those around me know it. Fortunately, this does not happen often and after a good night of sleep, I am recharged and ready to go again with some wit and humor.

I strongly believe that you cannot always control what happens in life, but you can choose how you react to it. Positive attitudes, finding humor in the situation and being able to laugh at yourself are choices you have control over each day. Choose funny and see what happens!