Be Happy With Who You Are, Despite the Bipolar

I can't believe I wrote that last post -- really, a song about the Bipolar Blahs? What was I thinking? LOL

Well, as always happens, things have a way of working themselves out, and I am not under as much stress as I was. In thinking about it, though, I wonder how much of it was of my own making? I mean, not following my own advice.

Today things are much better for me. I feel happy today. Nothing special is going on, and nothing special happened to make me feel this way, it's just a good day (which is great, considering my last post!).

Things don't always have to go right for you to be happy with who you are. You can be happy despite the bipolar. In fact, TO spite the disorder! In other words, not letting it be in control of how you feel about yourself and the things that are happening around you.

If you have a situation going on and you can do something to change it, do. If not, accept. Remember the Serenity Prayer: "God, grant me the serenity to ACCEPT THE THINGS I CANNOT CHANGE, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference." (emphasis mine)

We can't always change our circumstances, but we don't have to let them influence who we are. We are survivors! By virtue of the very fact that we are not in the hospital right now bears that truth out. Have you ever been hospitalized for your bipolar disorder? Then you should be feeling GREAT today that you aren't! I know that I am. I am so grateful to be stable today.

I'm glad I am who I am. I am a living miracle, because it's a miracle that I've survived my own life (with 5 suicide attempts to my name and 5 hospitalizations)! And I'm still here to talk about it and to help others who are going through what I went through. You can do that, too, just be a good example for those who are still struggling.

I talked with a woman the other day whose son (20 years old) has bipolar disorder, and he is in all kinds of trouble because he won't take his medication and therefore cannot maintain his stability. My mother's heart really went out to this woman, because I know there's nothing she can do to help her son until (and unless) he is ready to receive help.

But just talking to that mother made me feel happy to be who I am and where I'm at, because I think I was able to offer her some encouragement - if nothing else, than the fact that she is NOT ALONE.

That's what I'm grateful for today - I am NOT alone! And neither are you. No matter what your thoughts are telling you, you are not the only one who is going through what you're going through. I have been there, and so have many others. And we've all come out the other side, changed for the better. You will, too.

If you're feeling alone and can't find a support group (DBSA usually has one) near you, get online - there are many chats and forums for people with bipolar disorder. If you want to be encouraged, read some of the articles and bipolar success stories on http://www.bipolarcentral.com/.

Don't dwell on the negative - remember that "This too shall pass." You've been through negative (bad) things before, and you survived, so you can survive this as well. Yes, you are a SURVIVOR! And that says a lot about you. It means that you've got courage! Remember that about yourself. Because courage is not the absence of fear, it is the presence of FAITH!

It means that you are a fighter! Remember that, as well, and don't let your disorder beat you up today! YOU can emerge victorious over your disorder if you just don't give up, and keep doing the things you need to do to stay stable. Stability is your "gold medal" of victory today!

Wishing you peace and stability,

Remember God loves you and so do I,
Michele