It’s National Parkinson’s Awareness Month and a time to highlight the importance of movement, both physically and metaphorically. Throughout the nation, “Moving Days” are organized to raise awareness and funds for the Parkinson’s Foundation, supporting the fight against this debilitating disease.
The Parkinson’s community’s focus on movement stems from the fact that exercise and moving one’s body is significant in the battle against Parkinson’s Disease. It eases symptoms and helps to slow the disease’s progression for which there is no cure. This teaches us a profound lesson about the power of movement in both patient care and as a fundamental element to the well being of all our lives.
Our existence was not meant to be sedentary. Yet many of us feel stuck in our lives – mentally, physically, and spiritually. What’s a great cure? Movement. To get unstuck, embrace movement as the catalyst for growth and fulfillment. Just as Parkinson’s patients are advised that movement is crucial for their care and quality of life, so too is it important in our lives for achieving happiness and success. So it’s time to get moving forward!
Of course, moving forward might not be so easy. It might mean making a difficult decision or taking on what seems to be an insurmountable hardship or task. Sometimes this can have a paralyzing effect due to fear, overwhelm, or overthinking.
Indeed our thoughts are our biggest limitation to moving forward. The solution, as my son’s little league baseball coach often says, is to “stop thinking and just play!” Of course, we still need to think critically because acting on impulse or whimsy leads to chaos. So, the lesson here is not to avoid thinking altogether, but to not overthink our circumstances. Movement forces our brains to focus on the action rather than the anticipation of it. This helps to quiet our minds which in turn frees us to move more over time. Thus, action begets only more action.
That is why the first step towards any decision, task, or goal you have, is often the most important. That step does not need to be a big one; it could be the smallest of steps. Moving, at any level, grows confidence as you survive that first step and realize that you can successfully take another, then another, and so on. This generates a compounding inertia that will carry you forward.
You may not have all the answers right now, but by taking action, you’ll learn and adapt along the way. Sometimes, what is to come only can become clear in the doing. It’s about making the most of what you have and not allowing the uncertainty of the future to deter you from starting. Trust in your ability to navigate the path ahead as you move forward, one step at a time.
Reflecting on my experience learning to ski as a kid, I recall a pivotal moment that mirrors such advice. Standing atop Stratton Mountain after only a few ski lessons, I hesitated, uncertain of the path ahead. Yet, following the lead of my friend’s dad, I took that initial step, tracing his tracks down the slope. Sure, I skied slowly and fell quite a few times. However, I made it down the mountain and was beaming as I rode the lift back up to do it again. Movement helped me overcome my fear and didn’t allow me to overthink and freeze up. As with skiing, progress in life demands action.
National Parkinson’s Awareness Month reminds us of the power of movement in combating the disease’s progression. Likewise, embracing movement and taking action (even at a micro level) can aid us in overcoming indecision, apathy, depression, or any other obstacles we face.
In honor of those affected by Parkinson’s and related illnesses, let’s embrace movement—not just physically, but as a philosophy for living fully and overcoming adversity. So, let’s get moving.
