Hello friends. I am coming to you today with a bit of a different post. Since April is Parkinson’s Disease Awareness Month and we are coming to the end, I guess this is good timing.

The enemy is breathing down my neck today about how my constant train of thought can sometimes annoy people or turn them off completely from my never ending, albeit well meaning creativity. I fondly refer to this continuous thought process as “Parkie Brain.” Please hang in there with me and allow me to explain.

Growing up, I always had the creative brain. Left-brained activities like mathematics and chemistry were always a struggle. I loved to write poetry and short stories as a child and teen, and occasionally as an adult, when the ideas came. However, aside from coloring, I had zero artistic talent. Things changed about 9 years ago, when I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease (PD).

Being diagnosed with PD was daunting and filled with uncertainty at first. There was no family history of it, but I guess that the Good Lord wanted to use my mess as a message. For the most part, so much good has come out of having PD. I met the most incredible group of people living with PD and Dystonia. They have offered me so much encouragement, and I consider them family. Another positive thing that happened along this journey was an incredible urge to continue to use my tremor-laden hands as long as I can. You see, I am a very stubborn person. I also try to keep a positive attitude filled with self-deprecating humor.

At the beginning, I created simple drawings with oil pastels, and then I decided I wanted to learn to paint with watercolors. I loved watercolor painting, and although I have been told my artwork is good, I don’t always see it as such. But as time has progressed, holding a paint brush has become increasingly more difficult. So I turned to crafting things where small detail wasn’t quite as important.

You’re probably wondering where I am going with this…I’m supposed to explain “Parkie Brain.” Thanks for hanging in there!

As my PD has progressed, I have found that my brain is in constant motion. I never stop thinking…whether it’s about my responsibilities or about my next craft project. “Parkie brain” can be incredibly positive, but it can also be debilitating.

Good sleep evades me most nights. Right now, the enemy is using it to tear me down. You see, when it comes to sharing my creative ideas, my timing is usually not the same as other people. For someone who doesn’t know me all that well, my creative parkie brain can be annoying. My tendency to think ahead (OK…very far ahead), causes not just me to be overwhelmed, but others, and in turn cause them to want to avoid me like the plague.

“Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him;” Psalms 37:7 a (NIV)

I’m struggling with being quiet, restful, and still in the moment. With my brain constantly in motion, I have a lot of trouble just stopping to take a deep breath and quiet my mind for a moment. So today, I am humbly asking for your prayers, patience, and forgiveness if my overzealousness has caused you any annoyance or overwhelming feelings. Thank you in advance!

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the person reading this. I humbly ask You to bless them with whatever it is they are in need of today. Thank You for “parkie brain” and for all the creative gifts you continue to give me. Help me to be mindful of others, patient, and thoughtful before sharing my constant ideas. I ask that You help others to be patient and understanding with me so that we can all continue to work together to do Your Will here on earth. In Jesus’s most precious name, Amen.