“Have Mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us, for we have endured much contempt.” -Psalm 123:3, NIV 

I had not written much as of late being preoccupied with and distracted by the occurrences that have been shaping our lives around our communities, cities, country and world. I am sure like many of you, I have spent many hours glued to the television set wondering what will happen next? I have been pondering about the options we have when confronted with catastrophic events in our lives as we have seen in the last several weeks. Are many of us prepared physically, emotionally, and spiritually for the challenges ahead?

I pray that you are, if not I hope this gives you new perspective.

Are we feeling victimized or helpless by our physical inabilities ? Have we been experiencing particularly low morale? Sometimes is easier to focus on the MOST obvious- the raging storm around us! But, no matter our circumstances because eventually all the life storms pass on by. Therefore, we must learn to see beyond our PD and our present circumstances. We must develop a higher, broader and deeper vision for our lives. How do you envision your life in a year? 5 years? even 10? Are you a person with a glass half -empty or half -full?

So, today as we start another day/week full of uncertainty- I humbly ask God for His mercy in the presence of physical danger and emotionally crippling thoughts of being at the end of our rope for you my friends, family and loved who might just be feeling overwhelmed or contemplating giving up. Although, I am sure many of us are feeling dejected and completely fed up with the surrounding circumstances of our illnesses, mental and physical disabilities in the face of extreme danger and would give anything to be able to simply walk away from it all. This is not always possible and our only choice is to ride out the storm until the end.

However, I want you all to find comfort in the story of  Jonah who thought the end had come as he was engulfed by the deep waters, wrapped in seaweed, and swallowed by a big fish. Yet, once he gazed upward and ceased focusing only on his circumstances, he discovered his purpose in life despite being still in the belly of said fish.

Thus, even though we may feel we have lost the battle and may feel imprisoned by our circumstances and our diseases, this is the time we must look beyond ourselves. We must direct our gaze upward and cry out, “God I need your HELP!” I can not do this alone. I guarantee that if you do this, you will come out better than when you first began.

Finally, as we start a new week, I leave you with the knowledge that you alone have the power to choose weather you will remain imprisoned by the cards you were dealt or will you find a way to make the best and become a conqueror.

P.s Stay safe everyone and make sure you have all your medicines (list as well), doctor’s phone numbers and a ready bag which includes water, snacks, flashlight, ready cash, underwear/protective undergarments, deodorant, soap, shampoo that does not require water, toothpaste and toothbrush, shaving kit for men, any assistive devices, a small tank of o2 if on oxygen, change of clothes. This should also include your important papers like passport, etc.

Much Love,

Parkinson’s Diva

@copyright2017

All rights reserved Maria De Leon MD