by Al Van Dyk | Jun 4, 2017 | Attitude is Everything
There was a time, not all that long ago that it felt like everyone I knew was living a life that was much larger than mine. Many were going on vacations and weekend getaways, others received promotions, and most were in good health. It was as if they were part of a club that protected them from the realities that I was facing.
It was over five years ago, having recently received my diagnosed with Parkinson’s, that I had to come to terms that what I was experiencing was real. I couldn’t work my way out of it; I couldn’t buy my way out of it, I couldn’t strategize my way out. The “come to Jesus” part was when I came to the realization that I couldn’t outrun it either. This one I had to endure and, sadly, my family had to endure it along with me. The journey would be difficult but necessary.
It wasn’t until I began sharing my story with others, I came to the realization that most people were more like me than I thought; most are hurting, most are struggling, and most are searching. I had to have my eyes opened to see what it looks like to be human. To my surprise, it looks more like me than I ever imagined.
So this is Humanity!
Now that I’m in, what’s next?
Thanks for reading, liking, and sharing,
Al and his faithful, but hungry, sidekick, Ivy the wonder pup.
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by Al Van Dyk | May 21, 2017 | Attitude is Everything
Ask, and you will receive! Is that what you were told? When I was growing up, the questions were, “Can I have something, like a new bike?… Can I do something, can I fly to the moon?… Can I be someone; maybe Superman?” Different types of questions, all met with the same simple answer, “No.” The years pass and life happens; careers falter, relationships crumble, and our health wanes. Once again, the focus turns to questions in search of answers.
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by Al Van Dyk | Apr 15, 2017 | Attitude is Everything
What happens to the mind when the body is inflicted with Parkinson’s? Another way to frame the question, Does Parkinson’s have a cognitive component? Is Parkinson’s a precursor to dementia? All of these questions in one form or another have been asked about me. My interpretation, How does Parkinson’s affect a brilliant mind?
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by Al Van Dyk | Apr 7, 2017 | Attitude is Everything
It’s as if there is a cosmic overlord that dispenses his minions to do his bidding in a manner that demoralizes the wounded, confuses the grieving and ensnares the greatest number of casualties. Your mission, should you chose to accept it, is to insure that your minion meets the same fate as those that have already been defeated.
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by Al Van Dyk | Mar 26, 2017 | Attitude is Everything
Was there a lesson that I missed that I should have learned from the battlefield? Did I gloat too soon? Was I too quick to claim victory? Did I experience my first defeat? This is not my first rodeo, I have been here before. And suspect I will be here again. It’s time to rid my life of these Trolls once and for all. Nothing extinguishes a troll’s spirit more completely than laughter, and nothing crushes his ego more that a smile. Today is about finding humor in the annoying and laugher in the mundane.
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by Al Van Dyk | Mar 19, 2017 | Attitude is Everything
What Trolls do you need to vanquish? Once thought only to exist in children’s fairy tales are in fact very real. Their intent is to destroy, their method is by inciting fear, their primary tactic is to get us to believe they are bigger and stronger than we are. What Trolls live under your bridge that keep you from experiencing an extraordinary life?
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