Parkinson's: What is Your Intention for This Day?

 

A Journey Into Parkinson's with Nancy Mellon
Coordinated by Corrine Bayraktaroglu

 What is Your Intention for This Day?

Image Courtesy of Andrew Thornebrooke at Unsplash

Do you ever set an intention for your day?  It is not something that I do. But I have been reading about the importance of it.  My interest in intentions started with a wonderful article about Mindfulness that talks about setting an intention for your mindfulness practice.  I had never thought about doing that either.

What is my intention for doing a mindfulness meditation practice? I think it is (as Sylvia  Boorstein likes to say) to manage gracefully.  I want to be kind and loving to everyone I come across and accepting of whatever circumstances I can't change.  My intention is to be content, grateful and keep smiling!  

That makes me excited.  A mindfulness practice promises to deliver all of that to me.

Five science based reasons for having a mindfulness meditation practice, (remember Nancy, 'Practice' means doing it every day- you've got to do the work):

       Meditation Reduces Chronic Stress

       Meditation is an exercise program for my brain and good for my gut.

     Meditation helps the brain develop new connections, pathways and neurons,

        Meditation will boost my cognitive reserves.  Even if  I have MCI (Mild Cognitive Impairment) it can help me not develop dementia.

       Meditation will help me adapt to my changing environment, by managing my emotions and tamping down fear. It helps me sit with discomfort.

 

OK, this is what I am promising myself: (On thinking this over last night, I decide to start with the bare minimum of time and to not promise the whole bloody list!  The contract between me and myself is for the part in orange. The rest I am wishing for but not promising.)

 

NANCY”S CONTRACT WITH HERSELF

I will meditate for 10 minutes a day in two 5 minute time slots-

In the morning upon arising “I will set my intention for the day- “I am glad to be alive. May I be as present as possible, for myself and others.” and then I'll sit and Practice meditation for 5 minutes.

During the day, I will engage all of  my senses as  much as I can

I will exercise my body.

I will observe any discomfort with curiosity and without judgment. 

I will pause before eating to be grateful for everything and savor my food.

I will go outside each day and pay attention to nature.

I will break a habit  and do something different today.

I will do something nice for someone else today.

I will do something that makes me happy today.

 At night, before going to bed.  I will set my intention to sleep peacefully and deeply for 7-9 hours. Then I will meditate for 5 minutes.

Wish me steadfastness and perseverance in my promises to myself,

Nancy & the Snark are wishing the same to you!

 

P.O.P. Take 3 breaths to be peaceful, open and present. I will breath in peace and breath out tension

Footnotes From Corrine
I feel calmed just reading your post Nancy




Comments

  1. Thank you, Nancy (and Corrine) for these posts. The reminder that “meditation helps you manage your emotions, tamp down your fear, and sit with discomfort” is so helpful, as well as reading your honest reflections about your own adaptations to the effects of this illness and ways you are keeping your spirit and curiosities alive. Go well in your process.

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