Laughing at Myself While Lost at the Library

“It’s good to be able to laugh at yourself and the problems you face in life. Sense of humor can save you.” –Margaret Cho

Lately, I feel like my cognitive skills are starting to deteriorate. I’m certainly not the sharpest knife in the drawer anymore.

This became apparent to me a few weeks ago, when I attended a “Sing Out Loud” class for people with Parkinson’s at a library. The library is about 30 miles from my house, and I am unfamiliar with the area, so I used Google Maps on my iPhone to find it.

Well, the app directed me to a large vacant building next to the library. I saw the library, but I could not figure out where the parking lot or the entrance for the building was.

I parked my car on the street and walked around, looking for the front door to the library. Feeling lost, hopeless, and confused, I was almost ready to throw a pity party, sit on the curb, and cry.

I was lost but not alone

As I was wandering, a woman asked if I was going to the “Sing Out Loud” class. It was her first time attending the class. She was also trying to find the library’s entrance.

The GPS on my iPhone got me into this mess, so the iPhone was going to get me out. I called the library for directions to their front door. Luckily, the person on the other end of the phone took pity on me and patiently directed me to the library’s entrance.

Random acts of kindness can help so much in times like these.

Laughter is the best medicine

As I step outside myself and look at the absurdity of the situation, I feel like I was in an episode of “Seinfeld.” If you have Parkinson’s, I am sure you can relate to my story. Being able to laugh at myself whenever a Parkinson’s symptom issues a challenge will help me battle this disease.

“When we begin to take our failures nonseriously, it means we are ceasing to be afraid of them. It is of immense importance to learn to laugh at ourselves.” –Katherine Mansfield

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Note: Parkinson’s News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Parkinson’s News Today or its parent company, Bionews Services, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to Parkinson’s disease.