Hi,
Let me ask you something: When was the last time you laughed? I mean downright belly laughed?
I was watching this commercial the other night, and I swear I laughed till there were tears in my eyes!
The commercial showed these different people giving verbal commands to things, but they didn’t work.
Like one man said, “Close blinds,” but the blinds didn’t close, and the man was standing in the window naked, looked up, and his neighbor was staring right at him!
The most hilarious one was this woman with a to-go cup of coffee in her one hand and a briefcase in her other hand, walking up to a glass door of a building. And she says, “Open door,” and the door doesn’t open, and she walks right into the door, and the coffee goes everywhere, all over the glass! I’m telling you, this was hilarious! I just couldn’t stop laughing!
So, I’m asking you, when was the last time YOU laughed like that?
I go to so many bipolar support group meetings, and I get so many negative or complaining emails that I know that this is true – Too many people with bipolar disorder and their supporters stop laughing once the diagnosis is made.
I mean it! It’s like the disorder steals all the joy they have, like pulling the rug right out from under them.
Now, does that seem fair? I don’t think so.
But I see it this way. Having a sense of humor is a choice.
It kind of goes along with being a positive or being a negative person.
I’ve heard from some people who have bipolar disorder and their supporters who paint the
picture that their lives are so dark and gloomy that it’s more like they’ve got cancer than
just bipolar disorder!
Then I’ve heard from some people who tell me they’ve learned to manage the disorder
so well that they’ve gotten to the point of success (stability) and actually have a pretty
happy life!
And guess what the difference is?
At least for some people, they’ve been able to put the joy (the joy of life) back into their lives.
Let me tell you this: You NEED to laugh as much as you can in this life! Even experts will tell you that people who laugh more live longer. People who only see the doom and gloom side of bipolar disorder are like a self-fulfilling prophecy – They go through more depressive
episodes than those who have learned to have a more positive attitude.
Now, this isn’t medical advice, for sure, but I bet if you did learn to laugh more, you really would
have less episodes.
Think of all the things you have to face. Apply the laugh theory to them.
Well, I have to go!
Your Friend,
Dave