Brain Maps

Brain maps help me pave my way.  I sometimes have to sit and pause to determine which path is the right one.  It helps to look back on those gnarly treacherous ones I have already taken.  Looking at the smooth and easy paths and how they were often boring and uneventful or lonely, makes this a tough decision.

The important thing is that I do remember that the paths to come are my own to make.

What lies behind us
what lies before us
are tiny matters to
what lies within us.
Ralph Waldo Emerson

Bipolar Rage and Meditation, Let's Breathe

Bipolar Rage is a scary topic for some.  It use to be scary for me.

The ability to clear my mind and release stress and negative energy is the most powerful tool I have.
I have confidence in myself and never fear the loss of control.  Not any more.  I recognize how extremely passionate I am about so many things.  This is a wonderful gift.

Just as I am able to passionately love, I can also be passionate about what might be making me angry.  This was a problem for me in the past.  Today it fuels my fire to get things done and accomplish my goals in life.

Rage can become a physical problem for me.  This begins with the fact that I did not figure out how to prevent the rage.  The next problem is the true physical symptoms of the rage; my brain chemicals, anxiety, blood pressure, heart rate, and stress on every part of my body.  The final problem is the recovery that comes after the rage.  This can include debilitating guilt.  I have written much on Bipolar Rage and the guilt that follows.

Today, I am so excited about another physical reaction.
MEDITATION

I am the first to admit that when people would suggest I take a deep breath or meditate to prevent a "Bipolar Rage Episode", my reaction was not always pleasant.  'Yeah, right!'

Today, even as I write this blog, I can PHYSICALLY feel my body relax, shoulders release, stress from my head down and out my body with each exhale.

When I use the power of MEDITATION, these feelings of relaxation are ten fold.

The clarity that follows is just amazing.

My goal is to meditate three times a day.  I take deep breaths, at least three, as often as I possibly can.

My brain and my body are so much more powerful than I ever imagined.

PEACE

Bipolar Mom

The amount of Bipolar Disorder information available is wide and plenty.
The amount of information for a child with a Bipolar Mom or a Bipolar Dad is not very plentiful.

The late and amazing Bebe Moore Campbell has a wonderful children's book about anger and rage called Sometimes My Mommy Gets Angry.

If we can share without judgement and learn with an open mind,
the true benefits of fellowship and community are mind blowing.

Mom, Interrupted

Is There Be A Cure For Bipolar Disorder?

Is there a cure for Bipolar Disorder?

Is there a cure for Diabetes, High-Blood Pressure, Anxiety, Arthritis, Head Aches, Migraines, Insomnia, Hypoglycemia, Lupus, Fibromyalgia?

All of the above require medical attention.  Patients should receive equal health benefits.  All need a great deal of funding for research to answer the question, Is There A Cure?

Cures, medications, tests, science takes a long time.

I do not think I can wait for all these tests.  I can't wait one more minute and therefore I choose to be completely pro-active about my health.

I know many people with one or more of the above conditions.  I do not compartmentalize or separate any of them.  I believe they all are serious problems that require serious attention.

Over the past ten years I have tried to be a good patient.  I think I am.

Over the past two years I decided to take charge of my health.  I am the driver and the navigator.
I have an intelligent navigation system that reminds me of past roads gone bad.
I keep myself in tune and regularly do a diagnostic check.  Sometimes I check four to five times a day.

I have never been healthier, happier, and more stable than today.

Comparing, researching, talking, sharing, learning are all important.  As a wise consumer I will be a "Smart Educated Patient" as well.

My doctor does not fix me.  My doctor does not heal me.  My doctor offers suggestions for me to consider.  Ideas from medical books, research and experience.

I know my brain and body better than anyone.

I have a calibrated compass now, I know where I am going.

Creativity, energy, and ideas sans mania.

I have energy, I am healthy, I am serene, I welcome my creative mind and allow my thoughts and ideas to flourish.Manic? No, healthy mind, body, spirit. Mania? No, just wonderfully healthy from my blood cells to my synapses.

Validation

The need for validation can inhibit so many wants, needs, and desires. It stunts our growth, confidence, and worth.

Today I choose self validation and trust my own wisdom.

Sleep, sleep, sleep.

Sleep was at the forefront of my health plan for ten years. Nightly I prioritized my sleep. I know how fast my health can deteriorate without good sleep.

Over the past year I gained a new outlook on sleep.

I have found that the healthier I am physically and emotionally, the less sleep I need.

I wake up with the sun everyday.
My internal clock seems perfectly tuned.

Bipolar Rage Part II

Bipolar Rage


I write about my experiences as this is how I learn best.  It took me a while to figure this out, and then it took me even longer to actually consciously make this work to my benefit.

Bipolar Rage.  Is this a scary topic?  I think often we are scared most of what we do not know about.
My experience is that rage is a scary topic.  

I think all of the above are just facts of life.  There are the various stages of life and with this are various stages of knowledge.  The more proactive I am in learning and awareness, the better equipped I am to reach that new stage.

Rage and emotions are effected by so many variables.   As an individual, the unique brain and body are effected by so many variables.  Considering this, is there a book or an answer or prescription for Bipolar Rage?  Is there a book or answer or prescription for extreme emotions?

There may be for me, perhaps all of the above.  Will any of them work for all of us?  I don't think so.
What is a unique, individually catered treatment plan?  How do you cognitively change your emotional and physical reactions to various stimuli?

What is the magic answer that every one in the mental illness community is trying figure out?

I think we are a little to far away from knowing this answer.  The only thing that is unique to me and will help me deal with every moment today is my past.  Every past experience is an example of how or how not to deal with the next one.  Awareness and mindful living make this task easier.

If my body is not healthy, I am not healthy.  A choice?  I believe yes, to an extent.
You are what you eat is a seriously underrated cliche.
If I am going to be healthy, I need to be healthy physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually.

Mind.  Body.  Health.

Treating myself the best I can will allow me to use every tool I have acquired with much more ease.

Rage continues to be an emotion in my life.

Rage does not continue to disrupt my life or the lives of those around me.

Put One Task In Front Of The Other

...and soon you'll be waking out the door.


Or, maybe I won't.

The positive: Many ideas and tasks can be thought of and worked out consciously.

The negative: How many ideas and tasks can be efficiently and effectively executed at once?

I do not want my ideas and thoughts to stop or even slow down.  I enjoy all of them.  I do have post-it notes and a note pad.  I use these to jot down germs of thoughts that I do not have time to fully think about at that moment.

This way, I finish what I am currently working on without worrying if I forgot something.
I also know that those notes and stickies can sit there as long as they need...
Until I have time to execute them efficiently and effectively.