Hi,<\/p>\n
How’s it going? I hope you’re doing ok today.<\/p>\n
My friend told me this story the other day.<\/p>\n
She was at this seminar for mental health in middle Tennessee. Well, you know they just had all that flooding there and everything. Well, this man had just lost his house to the flooding.<\/p>\n
So he was up there at the front of the room and speaking to the crowd, and he was saying that he’s lost everything he’s owned before, but this is the first time it wasn’t to a woman!<\/p>\n
Well, everyone laughed at that\u2026 But then, someone from the audience yelled, “No, it still was \u2013<\/p>\n
it was to Mother Nature!” So everyone laughed even more, even the speaker!<\/p>\n
But here’s the point. Here was a man (who incidentally has bipolar disorder) who lost everything in the floods, and he was laughing about it! So this shows me that he also has found a way to survive his bipolar disorder and still laugh as well.<\/p>\n
I encourage that. I think more people should laugh at their bipolar disorder. Or at least laugh with it. Laughing at bipolar disorder? I can hear you now. Some of you are probably pretty mad at me. You think I’m making fun of you. Or of the disorder. Not taking it seriously enough. Or not taking your situation seriously enough. I know, I’ve gotten hate mail over this before.<\/p>\n
Some people say that I don’t take bipolar seriously enough, or give it enough credit. But that’s just not true. I’ve seen firsthand the devastation that bipolar disorder can bring upon a family.<\/p>\n
That’s why I started www.bipolarcentral.com. That’s why I’ve written the courses and materials that I have, to help supporters help their loved ones with bipolar disorder to get stable. That’s why I’m so passionate about this cause. Because I DO know how serious it is!<\/p>\n
But I also know that if you take it TOO seriously, ALL the time, it can lead to supporter burnout\u2026 And then where will you be?<\/p>\n
I’m not saying NOT to take bipolar disorder seriously. Yes, take the disorder seriously \u2013 It IS a serious disorder. But not so seriously that it takes away your sense of humor. Having a sense of humor can be as important as taking your medication or attending support group meetings. It’s a tool. An important tool.<\/p>\n
Even the Bible talks about it. It says that “Laughter doeth good like a medicine.” Laughter makes you feel better. Doesn’t it? When was the last time you felt down\u2026 And someone told you a good joke\u2026 And it made you laugh\u2026 Didn’t it make you feel better?<\/p>\n
Laughter is a great stress reliever as well, just ask any therapist! All I’m saying is that if we can look at things a little less seriously, it can help.<\/p>\n
Well, I have to go!<\/p>\n
Your Friend,<\/p>\n
Dave<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Hi,<\/p>\n
How’s it going? I hope you’re doing ok today.<\/p>\n
My friend told me this story the other day.<\/p>\n
She was at this seminar for mental health in middle Tennessee. Well, you know they just had all that flooding there and everything. Well, this man had just lost his house to the flooding.<\/p>\n
So he was up there at the front of the room and speaking to the crowd,<\/p>\n