Bipolar and ideas of how to help ourselves beyond medication

@tjprather Thank you for your service. I have lived alongside mental illness for decades, usually in the form of depression. It is part of who I am, but I am so cautious of labels of any sort, and refuse to be defined by any malady. I really like your words!
Ginger

I believe in educated yourself of the Bi-polar. It is actually new in the world of mental health. I have volunteer for many different activities. I love old people because they have so much to teach us. I don't have all the solution, but I'm human and this country is only 250 years old. It was founded in God we Trust. Somehow we have lost those simple truths Medicine does not have all the answers. The mind is very delicate and what we believe in moles us and shapes us into the person we are. I love creative people and it sounds you are one. Keep it up and express yourself. Bi-polar people are exceptional in all areas of the arts. I love dance, singing, writing poems and many more adventures. Life is short so keep doing what is best for you. Tom.

I belonged to a mental health support group at Veteran Hospital and a civilian support group at Christ Hospital. They are so different. In groups I would say what you see is what you get. My mother being from Italy has taught us survivor skills through laughter. My childhood was a difficult one. A mother learning English and father who cheated on my mom. I have so many stories I could tell about my life, but love always wins. You have to forgive others and yourself and not carry the pain. Let it go. It only holds our ability to be ourself. I did prison ministry, nursing homes, children that are homeless and many other interest. I love to observe people and guess what makes them unique. I would have to write a book to share my life, but not motivated. I like one on one sharing so I don't become over burden. I love God, Jesus and Holy Spirit. I learned so much from the Holy Scriptures and sharing my thoughts. This has been my survival. God does not disappoint. Noone can take that away from me. What the doctors think about this I don't care God wins over them and I make this very clear. I'm not a preacher or push my beleifs on others. I walk with whatever the Spiritual gifts that I receive. Love is the greatest of all of them. Love yourself and forgive those who think your not for real. Tom.

@tjprather

Forgiving is surely one of the paths to health. For the most part I've found it easier to forgive others than to forgive myself. That, for me, has taken a lot longer. I know that people say we shouldn't dwell on the past, but it's the past that has led us to today. It's sometimes important to give thought to our past blessings and successes as well as the mistakes and difficulties. There are some who are stuck in the past and some who live in future dreams. Wisdom balances lessons learned from the past and plans and hopes for the future with living well today. Hmm?

As you have said, Tom, you're a survivor of a long past full of adventures, and you have a hope for a future that will extend way beyond this life. I look forward to meeting you there. Well, maybe we won't meet - there are a lot of unknowns about that new world. But plenty of knowns.

Jim

Jim,
I know how to forgive myself and others who hurt me. I don't have any regrets I learn and move on. No one is perfect. We all make mistakes,, but God's healing is perfect. I always live by faith, hope and love. That has been my medication mentally and physically. We are responsible for our decision's in life. I would do it all over again because that is what makes me who I'm. My great nephew can't walk, talk, but he laughs and cry. No one can hurt him and I've learn more from him then a perfect healthy child. We all have are burdens, but it is what we do with them that molds us. I'm happy and I will eventually tell you about my heart event. I'm alive and my heart is always open to help and understand others. Do something that makes you happy. Music of all types help me. Tom

Jim, now that I'm house bound due to the virus concerns, I'm trying to sort activities besides tv. I'm 72 and have about 25 journels of drawings, poems and essays from my past. Two or three chapters of the past. I get what you said about the past and the guilt people impose with someone actually pondering the past. But when your retired, with a weak heart, and home bound, just what am I suppose to do....I can read the thoughts of others and there lives, and I do. I can work outdoors cleaning up zero scaping which energizes me. I'm about ready to tackle the journels and make some decisions. No big bond fire since I live in the city and I don't want to pollute our precious air. Maybe the shredder. Or, maybe I'll read them and embarse myself with my sentimentality. Today I went through my notebook of a life time of resumes and letters of recommendation. At first I thought, this is embarressing, but I persisted and began t o see how much I did and what a good job I did. I think when I leave this world I'll take my notebook of resumes.

@healthytoday

I read my journals quite recently, around 15 years worth, mainly to make a record of when I started and stopped taking a long list of medications. It made for some interesting reading. I've told my wife to toss them when I die, without reading them.

I'm already mostly at home, especially in the summer, so being told to stay home is certainly nothing new. We have had to live the prepper lifestyle for quite a few years because it was a more than 2 hour drive to Wal-Mart and Costco, so our Suburban was usually full on the drive home. My wife grew up on a farm, so that's how she was raised. I was raised just the opposite, but I think that the hoarder gene was implanted at birth. So, our pantry and paper goods cupboard are always full. Sometimes it might be good to have a milk cow. But they have to be milked every day. We have ten acres, so we could put her on the pasture. But I'm trying to make our lives lower maintenance. So, probably no cow in our future unless a neighbor would want to share one. That is a thought. My in-laws had one during my wife's childhood. Hmm. I'd better not trouble my mind with that tonight, right at bedtime.

Jim

Jim

I would love being on a farm. there is so much to experience. Watching the crops grow and animals much more. Living in the city is not the best way of feeling good and being creative. Smell the air and enjoy your companionship. The city is not the best place to be right now. It's like the ocean. It seems to never end.. Sleeping at night must be great. Start enjoying your surroundings. Do something that makes you happy. Tom

Hi all, as anxieties increase and social interaction is limited with the COVID-19 virus, Mayo Clinic Connect has opened up a brand new group dedicated to COVID-19, https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/covid-19/. The hope is to help members connect and cope during these unprecedented times.

Please follow the COVID-19 group by clicking on +Follow, look at the discussions there and participate. You are also welcome to start a new discussion on any COVID-19-related topic you'd like to discuss.

Pi is OK to be anxious about vires. It's happening all over the world. Being in milatery and seeing third world countries it does not surprise me.The world is full of good things and bad thing. I reflect on the good things. Worrying only makes you sick. Keep busy and enjoy the little things around you. Watch the news and use the advice given to us. Say a little prayer and God will look after you. He created us and knows our hearts. Stay safe and remember there is always tomorrow. Breath the fresh air and enjoy. I'm going to stay positive and end of this virus will come. Tom