Hi,<\/p>\n
You know I like to go hiking, right? It\u2019s my main hobby (besides non-competitive bodybuilding), and I do it as often as I can. Hiking helps me balance out the hard work that I do, and helps me stay de-stressed. That\u2019s what a hobby is for, and I think everyone should have at least one, and the experts agree with me.<\/p>\n
Anyway\u2026For my hikes, I like to pick spots that have the most beautiful surroundings, so that when I take my breaks, I can enjoy them. Makes sense, right?<\/p>\n
So I was thinking about this\u2026Have you ever noticed the trees? How they seem to bend in the wind but not break? And how strong their roots are? That\u2019s what keeps them firmly planted, so that they can stand against the wind and not be blown over.<\/p>\n
So that\u2019s what I was thinking about, how we could learn a lesson on bipolar disorder from the trees. I was thinking about how when they bend in the wind, they\u2019re being flexible\u2026 And how you need to be too\u2026Sometimes.<\/p>\n
And how when they\u2019re being firmly planted, so that they can stand against the wind and not be blown over\u2026That\u2019s how you need to be against the adversity that comes into your life\u2026Even if it comes from your loved one\u2026At other times.<\/p>\n
Adversity, or stress, can come from your loved one in the form of being depressed or manic
\nat times, especially when they\u2019re in an episode.<\/p>\n
So, like I was saying\u2026There are some things you need to be flexible about. For example\u2026It won\u2019t kill you to be flexible about what you watch on TV. Seriously, I\u2019ve known couples who\u2019ve gotten into verbal battles over just what to watch on TV! And you\u2019ve got to ask yourself, is it worth it? To fight over something so seemingly trivial?<\/p>\n
But to these people\u2026Hey, they\u2019re willing to go to battle over their right to each watch what they want! Well\u2026 I agree with their rights, but\u2026I also believe that you should, as they say, \u201cpick
\nyour fights.\u201d There are some things worth fighting over, and some things that just aren\u2019t, in my opinion. Like the TV and what you watch on it, I don\u2019t think that\u2019s worth a knock-down-drag-out fight, do you?<\/p>\n
Or\u2026Say the fight is over your teenager\u2019s curfew time. What\u2019s the difference if it\u2019s 10 pm or midnight? Is it worth fighting over? Some say it is, some say it isn\u2019t.<\/p>\n
The point is\u2026This might be a place where you can be flexible, like the tree bending in the wind.
\nYou might be willing to give in to the two hours curfew time just to save the peace and your relationship with your teen.<\/p>\n
There are some things you would be firmly planted about, of course\u2026Like who they hang around with\u2026Or how they are in school\u2026Or how they act at home\u2026And getting their chores done, etc. And meeting their responsibilities.<\/p>\n
But on other things you can be flexible. It\u2019s the same in your relationship with your loved
\none with bipolar disorder. There are some things you will stand firmly planted on, of course, and other things you can be flexible about.<\/p>\n
For example\u2026You will not stand for unacceptable behavior. Like the impulsive behavior they exhibit when they\u2019re in a bipolar manic episode.<\/p>\n
Like risky sexual behavior, risky driving, shoplifting, excessive spending, fighting, or even substance abuse, and other unacceptable behavior that hurts them or you (or others) or has consequences in whatever way.<\/p>\n
That\u2019s when you put your foot down, saying that you won\u2019t tolerate the behavior. Or at least that you will reinforce the consequences of their behavior. That\u2019s you \u201cbeing the tree,\u201d and \u201cnot bending in the wind.\u201d<\/p>\n
Well, I have to go!<\/p>\n
Your Friend,<\/p>\n
Dave<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Hi,<\/p>\n
You know I like to go hiking, right? It\u2019s my main hobby (besides non-competitive bodybuilding), and I do it as often as I can. Hiking helps me balance out the hard work that I do, and helps me stay de-stressed. That\u2019s what a hobby is for, and I think everyone should have at least one, and the experts agree with me.<\/p>\n
Anyway\u2026For my hikes, I like to pick spots that have the most beautiful surroundings,<\/p>\n