Feeling Happy These Days

I feel so happy today - not manic happy, just happy-happy. Things are so different now than what they used to be like. Today I'm grateful for all my blessings, even my bipolar disorder. I'm not saying I like it any better than I have before, but we've come to sort of a peaceful compromise. I do what I need to do to stay stable, and the dragon stays away (no bipolar episodes).

I'm grateful for such a wonderful, kind, loving husband, my primary supporter. I don't even have to tell him when I need extra loving, or when I'm feeling a little down, or just "not myself." Because he has bipolar disorder, too, and because he's my best friend, he can just tell. I'm so grateful that we have such a good marriage.

I'm grateful for my job, too. How many people get paid to do what they love doing? I love to write, and to help other people (especially those with mental illness), and at www.bipolarcentral.com I get to do both. Plus I have a great boss. I remember working outside the home, before I was diagnosed, and I never had as understanding a boss.

Right now, I'm writing from my computer in a nice, cozy, warm home. It's not very big, just a duplex, but I'm grateful, because there was a time when I was homeless.

I'm grateful that my sons and parents are all healthy and relatively happy. Even though I've had to learn to let them own their own problems, I still have a mama's heart, and I worry for my boys' health, safety, and happiness. Comes with the mom job, I guess! :)

Today, mostly, I'm grateful for my relationship with the Lord, who gives me all these blessings. He is with me even in the midst of my bipolar disorder. And it is truly a gift from God to be stable today. Every day I go without an episode is a gift from God.

To those who are struggling these last few days before the holidays, my heart goes out to you. I would wish upon you the attitude of gratitude that I have today. I don't have a lot, but what I do have, I'm grateful for. Think about your blessings, instead of your problems. They will eventually get solved. I heard a saying that, "God always answers prayer. Sometimes the answer is yes, sometimes the answer is no, and sometimes the answer is wait."

If you are having a hard time with your bipolar, don't give up on God. He is still with you in the midst of your struggles, and He loves you and wants you to be happy. Do I have proof? Yes, I do - in the Scriptures. He says in Jer. 29:11, "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future." That's my favorite Scripture, and it gives me so much hope for all of us with bipolar disorder.

Remember, you are not alone. There are many, many others who are struggling as you are. Keep going, don't let go of God's promise, and your disorder will eventually stabilize. Don't give up hope for that. I pray for you.

Wishing you peace and stability,

Remember God loves you and so do I,
Michele