Oil Spills, Terrorism, Earthquakes, Tragedy, Mudslides, Injustice, Hate, Cruelty, Death, and Destruction! This is what makes up our news programs and a large majority of what we read and hear on the radio. Sad and scary sell well at the theater, cinema, and in print.  Stephen King, Dean Koontz, and Wes Craven are just a few examples of those cashing in on our attraction to being scared.
If one has Parkinson’s Disease or any other chronic illness, it is this author’s opinion that the ill have enough to contend with and would benefit from eliminating or at least drastically reducing as many negative outside influences as possible. Do we really need to add negativity and added fear to our lives? Our job should be to keep hope alive, seek & find the positive in each day, and improve the quality of life of our  fellow humans as well as the creatures inhabiting this planet.Â
Should any of us really care who is wearing Versace or who is sleeping with whom? The combination of clever marketing and the gilded glitz of Hollywood has invaded everyday culture to be considered real news.  Battling an illness of any kind is a daunting task. For many patients, being ill is a full-time job. Escapism is only natural.  Sometimes, when reality isn’t what we need, we choose to turn things in our life off–but maybe rather than escaping, the answer is to face the issue or problem head-on and create a better reality for ourselves.Â
Imagination leads to successful vision and ultimately a creative solution. Fantasy has value as long as we don’t let it distort our sense of what is truly real.  Negative outside forces like negative media can only weaken our immune systems. Keeping a positive perspective and fending off negative energy-draining influences that have nothing to do with you or your condition may be of benefit to you, mentally, physically, and spiritually. Here is a list of what might help keep you on track to maintaining a positive perspective and fighting negativity:
- Take a break from your intake of CNN and any other news service for awhile and limit your doses of useless information.Â
- Do something to help someone else.
- Read, write, or listen to something that lifts you up.
- Stay in touch with friends and keep a network of support.
- Join or start a support group.
- Appreciate the love of family, friends, and pets. No pet? Go to a shelter and adopt your new best buddy!
- Don’t succumb to stress!
- Focus and maintain what you are still capable of doing–do not focus on what you can’t do.
- Seek out a passion or hobby, if you don’t already have one. (Be realistic of your limitations but go outside your knowledge base.)
- Learn and practice stress relief techniques and meditation.
This has benefitted me and hope it benefits you!
