Bipolar and the Pursuit of Dreams

I recently read an interview iwth Henry Winkler (for my generation, from the series Happy Days), and it was really interesting. Not that he has bipolar disorder, but much of what he said can apply to us with the disorder as well.

It said that tenacity and gratitude are both qualities that he possesses. Now, gratitude I understand, but tenacity I wasn't so sure of, so I looked it up in the dictionary.

Webster's says that tenacity is: "the quality or state of being strong; holding fast; not easily pulled apart."

That sounds like a quality we should have as well. We should definitely be strong, but "not easily pulled apart" is much more descriptive of how we should be. We need to "hold fast," not letting our bipolar disorder get the better of us.

The interview gave the following quote by Winkler: "The big lesson I've learned is that if you have a dream, if you can visualize what it is you want to do, and really hold onto that, you can pretty much live it... Will, personal will and the strength of will determine the outcome of your life."

Wow. I thought that was really profound. Sometimes it takes a lot to be able to hold onto (hold fast to) our dreams and not let them go in light of our bipolar disorder, but according to Henry Winkler, that's what we should do in order to attain them.

"Will, personal will and the strength of will determine the outcome of your life..." is a pretty strong line to say, much less to live out.

Of course, it will only work if you're also doing all the other things you need to do to manage your bipolar, but will does have a lot to do with how far you get in the direction you want to go in life.

With your bipolar toolbox at your feet, and your self-management of your disorder in place, along with tenacity, gratitude and strength of will, you should be able to go far in attaining stability with your bipolar disorder and your dreams themselves.

Don't forget to check out my bipolar book at: www.brokenroseministries.com

Wishing you peace and stability,

Remember God loves you and so do I,
Michele