Hi,<\/p>\n
Somebody told me that I should never assume anything. But I said that there are certain things that we naturally assume when it comes to nature and physics. I mean\u2026When we turn on the light switch\u2026We assume that the light is going to turn on. When we see the branches moving on the trees\u2026We assume the wind is blowing. When we see lightning\u2026We assume thunder is going to follow. When we turn the key in the ignition of our car\u2026We assume the car is going to start. We assume when we go to bed tonight, that when we open our eyes again, it\u2019s going to be morning. If we\u2019re sick and the doctor prescribes a pill and we take that pill, we assume we\u2019re going to get better. So, see? There are certain things we can assume with certainty. Why?<\/p>\n
Because our experience has shown us these things to be true in the past. So we can \u201cassume\u201d they will be true now as well.<\/p>\n
BUT\u2026I know what this person was trying to say. We cannot assume the outcome of things. We can only hope for it. Like if we have goals\u2026We can hope that when we achieve those goals\u2026 We will have a positive outcome. Like when you\u2019re dealing with bipolar disorder. If your loved one does certain things\u2026Like adhere to their treatment plan\u2026They can hope for stability with their bipolar disorder.<\/p>\n
On the other hand\u2026Getting back to assuming\u2026Our past experiences have also taught us certain<\/p>\n
things to be true. For example: If we don\u2019t brush our teeth every day, we\u2019re going to have rotten teeth! Or\u2026If we don\u2019t take care of our cars, they\u2019re going to break down! In other words\u2026 It\u2019s not a matter of assuming. It\u2019s a matter of CONSEQUENCES to bad choices. That\u2019s what your loved one has to learn. That they can\u2019t just assume they\u2019re going to get better from their bipolar disorder if they don\u2019t do anything to help themselves. That there are consequences to their bad choices. They can\u2019t just blame everything on their bipolar disorder\u2026And expect to get away with everything. They have to take responsibility for their choices. And their behavior. Even for what they do when they\u2019re in bipolar episodes. Even though the bipolar disorder may have caused them to do certain things, they still have to pay the consequences. That\u2019s part of being responsible. That\u2019s one of the things they should be learning to deal with in their therapy. But they also have to learn it with you, as you set down boundaries and limits to what you will and will not tolerate from them.<\/p>\n
Well, I have to go!<\/p>\n
Your Friend,<\/p>\n
Dave<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Hi,<\/p>\n
Somebody told me that I should never assume anything. But I said that there are certain things that we naturally assume when it comes to nature and physics. I mean\u2026When we turn on the light switch\u2026We assume that the light is going to turn on. When we see the branches moving on the trees\u2026We assume the wind is blowing. When we see lightning\u2026We assume thunder is going to follow. When we turn the key in the ignition of our car\u2026We assume the car is going to start.<\/p>\n