Accepting What You Do Not Like With Bipolar

Sometimes there are things I do not like about my bipolar disorder. Like when I have trouble falling asleep because my mind won't shut off. Or when my mood shifts just like that, without my having any sayso in the matter. Or like on days like this, when I just don't like the way the day is turning out - having had to put out almost $500 to get my car fixed.

No, I didn't like having to pay all that money to get my car fixed at all. But I didn't have any choice in the matter. The car just wouldn't start at all. And I don't know anything about fixing cars, and neither does my husband. So we have to depend on the car repair place, trusting them to be honest (and charge us labor on top of everything else). We know it cost more than it should have, but what could we do? It's our only means of transportation.

So, needless to say, I'm not the world's happiest of campers today. I'm trying to practice what I preach. I'm trying to get in a positive mood. I'm trying not to be negative. But shoot -- that sure put a big dent in our pocketbook. And now I have to "rob Peter to pay Paul," trying to figure out how to pay the bills, who will get paid and who won't, because someone will and someone won't. That's a big chunk of bill money!

So, will it help to sit here and stew about it? I know it won't. Should I get all depressed about it? I know I shouldn't. It won't help anything, and I know from experience that it would just make things worse.

So my only choice is to accept the inevitable. And to look at what good there is to be found in this. At least we had the money (albeit that it was bill paying money). We did have the money. We weren't broke down stranded anywhere. At least it stopped in our driveway (we had to be towed to the shop). It was repairable. It's fixed now, and we can drive the car. We had groceries while we were stranded over the weekend and couldn't drive the car. We were ok.

Neither of us went into a high anxiety or bipolar incident over the weekend while we were stranded. That was a real good thing. We stayed cool.

And now the car is fixed. Everything else will work out. We just have to keep our heads cool about us. And stay positive. Stay stress-free. And not make the situation worse. That's it.

It will be ok. God has always provided for our needs, and He'll do it again this time. We are not homeless (as I've been before with my bipolar), and we are not helpless (as I have also been with my bipolar before). We are not without food (which I have also been with my bipolar before). We are stable (thank God), and we are ok. Those are the main things. So, like it or not, this is the way it is. Things always get better.

Oh, don't forget to check out my new bipolar book. Click here: www.brokenroseministries.com

Wishing you peace and stability,

Remember God loves you and so do I,

Michele