Hi,
How’s it going?
Hey I was talking to someone in the gym about something really odd.
Why? Well you run out of stuff to talk about when you are doing cardio for an hour virtually every day.
Anyway, have you ever watched someone try to put a jigsaw puzzle together?
The concentration…
The focus…
How meticulous they can be…
All those parts?
Some people can’t do it.
But those that can…
Those who can take all those parts…
And put them together just right…
Can make a beautiful picture out of what seemed to be nothing!
Well, music is the same way.
It doesn’t matter what kind of music you like the best, all music still has the same parts:
• Melody
• Notes
• Rhythm
• Tone
• Timing
• Composition
• Instruments
• Songwriter
• Song
• Lyrics
• Band
• Singer
All that concentration…
All that focus…
All those parts!
And that’s just for ONE SONG!
Now, these days, they usually add a video and some dancing to it as well.
So now you’ve got even more parts –
• Choreographer
• Dance steps
• Choreography
• Lighting
• Direction
• Outfit designer
• Outfits
• Etc.
Now with bipolar disorder, we have parts, too, like the parts to the stability equation I outline
in my courses/systems below:
SUPPORTING AN ADULT WITH BIPOLAR DISORDER?
Visit:
http://www.bipolarsupporter.com/report11
SUPPORTING A CHILD/TEEN WITH BIPOLAR DISORDER?
Visit:
http://www.bipolarparenting.com
HAVE BIPOLAR DISORDER?
Visit:
http://www.survivebipolar.net
Many people still complain about the parts to stability for bipolar disorder…
But when you compare it to the parts to music (especially one with a video) it doesn’t seem so bad, does it?
If you want just music, you can skip some of the parts.
I’m not saying it would be the best music, but it could still be music.
But if you want QUALITY music you have to make sure that you have all the parts, and that every part is attended to.
Same thing with bipolar disorder. Some people just tend to the minimum of the parts to stability with bipolar disorder.
They just take their pills and go to therapy, for example.
But if you want QUALITY management of your bipolar disorder, you have to make sure every part of it is attended to as well.
You’ve got such things as:
• Medications
• Therapy
• Strong support system
• Sleep
• Exercise
• Diet
• Self-care
• Productivity
• Reduced stress
• Balance
• Watch for triggers
• Look for signs/symptoms
of episodes
• Etc.
In other words, like putting that puzzle together, you have to put all the pieces together, too, to make one bigger complete picture of your stability.
What about your stability?
Is it QUALITY stability?
What other things do you do to stay stable?
David Oliver is the author of the shocking guide “Bipolar Disorder—The REAL Silent Killer.” Click Here to get FREE Information sent via email on how and why bipolar disorder kills.
Post responses below
I just want to thank you my girl friend is bipola and u have help me understand I almost lost her because of my ignorance to this illness I just wanted to walk away, now I’m am starting to understand and god willing someday we will be married. Knowing the little I know now (still learning) I can help her follow the music as u say. I did not want to loss her she is a wonderful women and thanks to you I’m working on keeping it together please keep up the great work.
You make an excellent point, but it is much too long. Today I’m manic and can’t work fast enough to get everything done that I want to do. Don’t have time to read every word of your message. For the past couple of weeks I’ve been depressed and could barely do my own laundry. Could not concentrate long enough to read the daily newspaper. Either way your message is too long and complicated. I skimmed through and hurried to the end. I got the message and you are so right. I’m undecided as to whether I want to spend $50 for your book. If it is written in the same manner I will never read it.
When things aren’t going well. My idea of having a reasonably stable life is if I can get up in the morning, have something to eat.
Successful day is if I can get throught the day without murdering someone, or someone murdering me.
Slight exaggeration but it is true that some days I have a terrible time just coping with the very basic.
Let alone aspiring to quality.
You are right when you say that it is all a matter of perspective. When you are down on the ground sometimes just getting your face off the ground is a major accomplishemnt.
HEY DAVIE AM WORN OUT……
I HAVE BEEN THE GYM AND THE SAUNA. What are the symptoms of bipolor. I must be in a manic.
Take Care Linda x
To LINDA: Over the last month or so, your comments have sounded as if you’re in the “manic” stage of bipolar disorder – racing thoughts, hyperactivity little sleep, overdoing the gym, etc. If you have not already seen a doctor (either your regular one or a psychiatrist), then I highly recommend that you do. This is NOT a “put-down.” Merely answering your question of “what are the symptoms of bipolar.” It sounds as if you need meds as well as regular therapy, to get your “music” running smoothly. Just a thought :).
I’m aware of ALL it takes to “maintain” with bipolar disorder, but have slipped into a “mixed episode” regardless of how I self-treat myself. I take my meds, am in constant contact with my therapist, have a normal sleep/wake cycle, and eat properly. And STILL I’m in “discomfort.” I want my “tune” to not be “discordant,” but to play easily. Sometimes, like mentioned above, it’s all I can do to get out of bed now. Add onto that a laptop with “glitches” that pop up EVERY day, and I’ve got a raging complex of frustration.
BIG HUGS to all bipolar survivors and those who love us. May God bless you real good. I pray for my country.
My name is Lynn and I’m a recovering alcoholic. I stay active in mtgs. and service to Alcoholics Anonymous, work w/my sponsor and sponsees, etc. W/this, I can maintain my ‘conscious contact’ w/God, and thereby do the necessary things to remain stable emotionally, and hopefully, episode-free, for the most part. Today I’m willing to do whatever I have to do, to remain out of the ‘nut-hut.’ Dave, I always appreciate the entries in which you list the steps we should take on a daily basis; it’s always a great review. Thanks.
HEY LYN KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK…..
I like that word the “NUT HUT”