Bipolar Bears Skating with Abraham Hicks

On managing bipolar mood swings.

Written by Nancy Lake

nancylake444.com

Often times people who are experiencing depression, mania, and a disconnection from reality are not fully enjoying the contrast.  Contrast as Esther Hicks explains, has everything to do with living life and deciding what feels right and what is enjoyable.  Often people must experience an uncomfortable or “bad” experience to be clear about what they do want. The contrast is experiencing a rainy day so you can experience a sunny day.  Some people clearly are not enjoying it if they are pressed into situations that do not allow them to express who they really are.  Abraham suggests that bipolar symptoms are created by not allowing a strong energy or path to unfold.  Sometimes there is such a strong personality parent or caretaker, that the child cannot express or be their authentic self.  Many Bipolar people experience mood episodes that include delusional happenings like people with Schizophrenia diagnosis often experience.  Many bipolar diagnosed people are very intuitive and psychic, however, they have not learned to balance their current life with the impressions they are receiving from others.  Since they are often told that it is wrong to be psychic and have those awesome intuitive visions, they feel even more devalued and broken.  They develop more stigma that says there is something wrong with me.

Abraham Hicks calls bipolar diagnosed people:  Those who have strong wanters disease.  They focus on what they want in a very intense way.  They are often very creative people with strong intentions.  When you really know what you don’t want then you really know what you do want.  She has said this: the person labeled bipolar was born into a challenge and thus hit the ground running.  They often experience a current of negative emotion due to the fact that they really know what they desire but cannot line up with it.  Abe says:  "once you have tasted the sweetness of who you really are, you can’t go back to being satisfied without that."  Becoming self-actualized is paramount to the person with this diagnosis.

As far as gaining some control over the see saw of moods, Abe suggests the following mantra or affirmation: 

I am a powerful wanter, I plummet when I am not in alignment.  Some people do not have the strong wanting or desiring as much as I (diagnosis of bipolar disorder).  Powerful Wanting Creates Powerful Joy.  I can focus myself into feeling better.

When you are feeling good then go with it.  Milk it.  Happiness is the goal. 

They experience moving energy. Bipolar people can jump from one extreme to another…joy to despair…due to the power of focus.  They have repeatedly practiced extreme focus.  When you are focusing in an uncomfortable way, remember how powerful of a focuser you are, you can stop it as well. When you feel negative emotion it is rarely what someone else is doing.  You have the ability to observe what you wish to observe or focus on things that are pleasing to you instead of things that drag you down.

From listening to hundreds of Abraham Hicks material, some purchased and some on You Tube, I have a basic theory for the causation of the uncomfortable symptoms that have been tagged mental illness.  Very little of it stems from genetics except that we are all capable of experiencing some of the symptoms that are more exaggerated for those suffering with “mental illness.”  Instead of just being down in the dumps, or dissatisfied some people become chronically depressed.  Instead of just being apprehensive, some people experience chronic anxiety and panic attacks.  Instead of just being cautious about others some mistrust is developed into huge fantasies that of paranoia. 

Abraham Hicks has an emotional scale that is so helpful.  It is helpful to realize that we are all on the emotional scale, somewhere.  I find it helps identify the uncomfortable to nightmarish range of the scale in order to understand it and turn things around.  

Since the logic for many of these not good feelings is faulty, going down the rabbit hole to discover where they stem from will take you on the limbic loop to nowhere.   Often there is no why except a faulty belief.  When I studied the Cognitive Restructuring of Beck I was a bit disappointed.  The reason it only works about half the time is the person must be ready to be restructured.  That is why I support person-centered or Carl Roger’s orientation.  The person must be calm and safe enough to peak through a new window. They can then re-direct their thinking and their life.  It is up to the person to decide on a better more reasonable path for themselves.   Many bipolar people have experienced trauma in early childhood as well as other injustices.  Some bipolar diagnosed people feel suicidal and helpless.  Split energy feels very terrible.  Split energy is wanting to die because life has become painful, but part of their being does not wish to die.  Abraham suggests making a decision to stay here and feel better knowing that tools exist that will help them climb out of depression (easily).

You can’t arm wrestle with bipolar bears.  They have to see the path open before them.  You can only love them unconditionally and support them in the way they wish to be supported.  You cannot consequence or punish someone into alignment. That will never work.  They do need to know that they are valued and celebrated.  For those who love someone who is experiencing symptoms, Abe suggests that this loved one should find all the reasons. strengths and qualities to illuminate why they like their loved one.  Point them forward by talking about the future and what they would like to have happen.  Sooth them when they try and catastrophize, saying, “it probably will all work out in the end.”  And sometimes, loved ones with problems don’t need caretakers to have all the answers to fix their problems.  We can just be good listeners.  In fact, that is often much better.

Try just doing things together if possible.   

Things to do together are things like go to a drummer circle, karaoke, hikes, bike, swim, go hear music together, do hot yoga together, get a guitar and take lessons, volley a tennis ball back and forth non competitively, do something crafty, make crafts together.  There are hundreds of things that allow togetherness without competition or judgement. 

We took a hula dance class once.  It was great fun!  It is hard to remain depressed when doing the hula.

Referenced from the following Abraham/ Esther Hicks You Tube Videos.

https://youtu.be/RO-T83V1klI

https://youtu.be/x43QUcMl5IE

https://youtu.be/Eu8qBRiR7Ps?list=PLsjNaLWDAtP1DgS_gENBeGeowvVwTtR26

Mountain Magic, Almost Heaven, Mt. Shasta

My adult son and I just returned from the Victory in the Light conference at the Methodist Family Camp on Castle Lake, near the famous Mt Shasta giant mountain.  It is snow crested year round.  The days were warm and bright with intense sun and the nights were heavenly and cool.  The stars were outstanding in their brilliance.  The photo above illustrates attendees gathered around a bon fire playing music, drums and dancing as thousands of light orbs gather and dance with them.  They are high energy beings and most likely forest sprites and nature divas (see post on Findhorn Fairy Magic) (later).  Keep smiling and reading for now.

Many people attending saw craft above the forest canopy in the evening sky.  I am not concerned whether those crafts are ours as in the “secret space program” that Corey Goode, David Wilcock and Mike Salla speak of or off world races here with an agenda.

So let me explain:  In 2010 I invited Charles Hall to speak in Payson, AZ, a small town off the bee line highway.  The night he spoke about the tall white alien race in Nevada, the sky over Payson lit up with craft.  My son was standing outside observing craft, stationary in the sky, (listening) witnessing our speaking event.  When it ended, they all winked out and were gone.  We had a chance to speak with Charles Hall in person before and after that event.  I wrote a check out of my own personal account.  I was a board member who was generous at that time and so, perhaps I am saying the personal time with Charles was justified.  I wrote a blog about him and a review of his Millennial Hospitality Book series.  I could speak volumes more but it would Segway this whole post.  

Bottom line, we (friends and family) have seen craft and I just except that they are in the sky like bumper cars.  Both of my boys have witness craft and have had abduction experiences.  I must admit I think me too.  I would much rather have one to one conferences with our alien friendlies than just experience the craft above me.  Indeed, that is beginning for me, and Charles said “in ten or fifteen years all will be disclosed.”  The government already plans for a slow trickle of information.  Charles’ guess is that by 2025 it is out there on the streets and on main stream TV.  That still seems a long way off and there is such revelation already happening.

The afterglow of Mt. Shasta still continues after I am home and adding up all the receipts from our road trip. Yes, it cost a bit to do this. We traveled from Phoenix to Mt. Shasta in a rental car and back.  There are many reasons we decided to travel this way.  Some are rather personal ones.  Both Zac, my son, and I are psychic empaths and have easy frustration and overload in the airports.  There was much deliberation in our travel plans.  Starting out was fun but we tired of the trip while going through the smoggy LA area.  We experienced some fatigue as well. I must acknowledge my son as the one who got us there.  A big shout out to Zac's use of Google navigator. 

left to right: Mike Salla, Laurie Eisenhower, Corey Goode, and Rob Potter
radio interviews back to camera.  

Zac making a short video walk at Mt. Shasta. 

 Once in Mt. Shasta we were elevated to a new energy and experience.  I kept stating that I felt like I had come home.  I never knew I missed it having never seen it.  Once there I felt that it was worth the journey.  Ideally we could have stayed a few more days.  I felt a playful energy and the smile of a mother beholding her beloved children.  Mt. Shasta is massive and lifts herself out of the earth's crust with such grace.  She is always crested with snow at the top and often wears a halo of puffy lenticular clouds that form above the peak. It is awe-inspiring to see this majesty and breath the lush pine scented breeze of the forest floor.  Mt. Shasta has always drawn mystics from around the world.  Zac and I had also purchased tickets to the conference at a church camp.  This was the 2016 "Secret Space Program" venue of topics and speakers.  

I really enjoyed the question and answer segment of the conference.  Corey Goode, Rob Potter, Laura Eisenhower and Mike Salla were all quest speakers.  They did an excellent job of presenting their material.  Much of this material I had heard before so it was interesting to get a bit more detail. In between engagement with speakers I met so many people.  There was a slogan floating “everyone has a story” and they all did.  It was very nice to share and hear the stories of others.  I took many photos and found everyone to be extraordinary that we spoke to.  It was not just the celebrities but all those gathered that made this an adventure and a gallery of sparkly people.

I have to jump to the following for a second...excuse me. 

I am an animal communicator.  I met Matisha (link below) at Mt. Shasta. 

Today I am also aware of dolphins crying.  Sadly, they are hunted in Japan this time of the year.  Please send prayers and donations to those trying to protect them.  If you remember the movie “the Cove” about the Japanese practice of killing dolphins who compete with certain fishing practices, sad movie for sure.  Dolphins are extremely intelligent in many ways that we cannot even evaluate. In my post regarding the future cites (beyond the Jetsons) I mention dolphins or beluga whales communicating with our human scientist about the oceans in an effort to correct and help that environment. Also see http://www.songofhome.com/Matisha-Tour-Schedule.htm for more on dolphin human interaction.  

And in my post on Future Cities: Beyond the Jetsons....(I have future dreams sometimes)

 I also mentioned the huge birds that were like Macaws.  They also communicated with us on various dimensions and helps with the stratosphere and correcting our sky or atmospheric conditions.  When acknowledging other species in a respectful way, I believe we are that much closer to interfacing with other highly advanced civilizations.

If it seemed like a departure from Mt. Shasta, no, it is all one big circle of connection.I am stopping this here.  I realize I will come back with more later.  There is much more to say regarding this trip of ours.  Taking a break. 

Barbara Eden now (I dream of Jeannie)

Stay tuned in.  

I return with some more memories.  Today is 9/20/16.  At one point Corey was standing behind me and he was connecting telepathically.  I heard and felt intense chatter in my mind, and I turned to look at him.  I wondered what he was saying.  I am sure I had a huge question mark eliminating from my forehead.   I am starting to see it as a tap on the shoulder and now I think I get it.  I look forward to Tuesdays and Gaia TV for another update with Corey.  Today I remarked the following in the chat box: 

 I always enjoy these Tuesday gatherings. I met Corey in person at Mt. Shasta. We had a short but nice conversation. Based on things he said, this is hard for his family and I hope there is a solution there that allows more quality family time for him. Corey does not know his role in things yet. It is a process but he is that guy that we love and trust and perhaps the spokes person for us humans (real humans). I also I saw or had a memory flash of being on "a bus" to the moon. When Corey spoke at Mt Shasta I also had a memory of sitting in an egg shaped seat with a safety belt or harness. There were perhaps 10 seats like mine in a circle. I was on an aircraft with two "stewardess people" and I was excited because we were going to "Hawaii". We made several stops along the way in the mainland. I don't remember having any luggage. ??? I hope I at least had a bathing suit some where. I believe I was given some screen memories. Some times Corey seems hazy or fuzzy on a memory and I totally get that. When a memory surfaces It seems a bit illogical and foggy. Anyway. I have recovered a great deal of stuff, but I don't know why I would be going through any of those experiences. - See more at: http://www.gaia.com/video/encounters-ancient-sentinels#comment-662546

I also had the same dream again.  I am standing in a private jet or plane.  I look like a cross between Barbara Eden and Hillary with platinum hair and I wear a blue dress-suit.  When I say standing it is exactly that I am looking out at a azure blue sky through an oval window.  I know I am on my way to receive some sort of award.  I guess the time line is growing closer to that personal event.  And it makes me wonder if I get some "work" done...I don't look like Barbara right now. I am still salt and pepper with curly hair and only 5 ft tall.  Things really change for me.  Amazing dream 

private plane with big oval windows in my frequent dream

Saying Goodbye to Smoky

Smokey's Story from Hello to Goodbye and Hello Again

All About Smokey

It has been a month now since Smokey’s passing.  We have had many monsoon storms come and go without a sign of our beloved Russian Blue tom cat. OMG he wore many hats. He was the stray that jumped through my open bedroom window one night when I was crying.  He was my counselor and he had all the answers.  He did not bring me gifts of mice and baby squirrels like the others, he knew I was sensitive to those gifts.  Smokey asked me to fight for myself because he knew I was a pacifist.  He said in his “”purrfect” way: Stand your ground.

 I was grieving from his absence.  Many people were saying “he will be back’’ and my heart was disagreeing.  I was wondering why they said this to me when I knew better. I have been extra psychic for a long time now. It felt like false hope and pulling the wool over the eyes. I knew better.  I knew all Smokeys favorite spots.  When I called out, he would answer.  The silence was atypical as though he was in a drugged sleep beyond the Kuiper belt.  I was trying to process the heavy emotions of saying goodbye to my furry friend and family member.  I am a psychic and an animal communicator so it was eerie to me that I Smokey could be so gone.  Even deceased pets seem to animate and say hello.  No matter the confusion of listening to the perceptions of others, my eyes would not stop watering.  Quite honestly it kept old friends at bay as they were unable to offer condolences.

Cats can smile.  Smokey had a goofy smile, and he was trying his best to imitate the way humans smile.  All our neighbors would smile at Smokey because he would do his best to reciprocate although his smile looked a little bit like a grimace of some sort.  Smokey was once a stray, and my Spidey senses tell me he belonged to a trucker at one time.  He was the best travel cat in the world.  I knew for sure Smokey was a keeper when he jumped into the back seat of my car when I was moving.  He was a “purrfect” back seat passenger.  Our other pets needed crates.  Especially my little princess, Mimi.  I loved her but she whined the whole way on a trip.

Our first cat was Calico and we named her Rainbow.  She was the Alpha cat.  Our tortoise shell, Mimi, was smaller and a mix of insecure habits. All at once we had 5 cats including Smokey.  The neighbors had abandoned Mimi.  She was the biological sister of Rainbow.   We lived in a low rent area and the neighbor’s cat seemed to be constantly pregnant with a new liter.  That family did not have the money to fix their momma cat.  Looking back, I would have offered to take her and get her spayed.  Those neighbors moved.  We moved too.  The next apartment complex was ideal for cats.  There were tall fences and trees.  We fed Smokey but did not encourage him to stay in.  Mimi brought home another cat.  We called him Sammy.  He was cream colored and was affectionate with Mimi. There was a lady giving away kittens at the grocery store.  I should not have stopped because I had an instant attachment to a white cat with a small grey tiara marking on her head.  I had never seen such an adorable cat.  Lilly has her own story and so do they all.  I am just saying this is how easy it is to have a home full of cats.  Smokey was the enforcer.  He was very large and in charge.  He broke up fights between the sisters.  Sometimes he would sit on Mimi to calm her down.  At first, we did not think of adopting Smokey, and he would come and go.  In a short time, he became essential to our cat family.  He had the job of finding all the cats when it was time for dinner.  They say you cannot herd cats.  Smokey could find and herd all the cats indoors for dinner.  He became the peacekeeper when there were disagreements.  Smokey chose us as his family.  When he jumped in my car, I knew he was the smartest and most psychic cat ever.  Now when I call him, he is a universe away. 

My son Zachary said that Smokey had been saying goodbye for about two months.  We had him for 8 years and have no idea about his real age.  I would guess 12 years old.  He was in bad shape when he adopted us.  He was quite a scraper in the neighborhood.  I had fed him once or twice and one night he jumped through a window when I was crying and cuddled with me.  At first, I was scared because he was so big and muscular.  His eyes were intense and green as he communicated very clearly that he wanted to help me.  Smoky literally said words and understood words.  He always retained his autonomy after becoming our cat.  He would jump on me every night about 4 am and he would say “now” repeatedly until I woke up and let him out. He would return several hours later at 6 am when it was breakfast time.  We had a routine. Our neighbor always was outside having coffee before I woke up.  Smokey  would say his word for hello and smile.  The Neighbor, Reese, would knock on my door and I would let Smokey in.  Smokey had us all trained.

  The last night he did something different; he jumped on me but wanted me to pet him.  I was so sleepy, but I spent at least 20 minutes petting him.  He was sending me volumes of love.  I was seeing pictures and feelings and intense color around him.   He said in his own way, “I love you, I know you will miss me, I am a keeper, I am your eternal friend, I will not be far way.”  As I let him out, he turned around and looked at me one last time.  I got a lump in my throat.  Something was not usual with all this.  And two days later, I knew, for sure, he was gone. 

When the last storm came up, and he was not at our door soaking wet, wanting me to get a big fluffy towel and dry him off, it was solid and sure.  Smoky did say goodbye that last time.

Recently, we heard him and felt him around us and Mimi was starting to see him too. She had been very depressed at first.  I think she was playing with Smokey last night, there was lots of commotion in the living room. 

Yeah, so I took it hard.  I don’t know when I have cried more and felt so blue.  The whole neighborhood loved Smokey.   And I can testify that cats do go off to die when they are ready.  I have heard a dozen stories now.  It is hard to tell if a cat is in pain, all I know is Smokey did have a significant illness. The vet called it “feline aids virus” and he hung in there for many years.  The thing that really gets me is how close he was to Source energy that last night.  He was rather elated about going home or transitioning.  That is a big clue that he had not been feeling well for a couple of months prior to this.  He tried to be there for us, but it was time. It was like a female in labor, something was happening for him, like a force of nature.

It does not end here.  This was my sappy ending, but I had a dream last night. (December 2025)  I was holding a Russian Blue Kitten.  I have no pets currently.  One by One we have said goodbye to all of our cat family.  They all have a place in my heart. They will have an eternity, and I will see them again.  I just want to watch adds for a Blue Russian kitten.  It would have to be a boy.  I would have to see all those colors around him and feel his intensity.  But, it feels sure that we will meet again sooner than my transition.  Another good Christmas Miracle. 

 

I Slip into Something More Comfortable as I Lose Weight; A Lighter Body

Melissa McCarthy 

I am experimenting with several things right now to see what works regarding becoming lighter, and I am less desperate about that. 

As I go along in a transitioning state, I remember Abraham/Hicks saying, “Don’t pay attention to what others think.”  I think that is difficult for many of us since we have been trained to please other people. That not caring or giving a rip about what other’s might think of you, is a challenge due to the skinny ideal bodies on the media.  During an interview with Melissa McCarthy her response to her weight loss was, “I stopped trying so hard and just started to embrace my life.”  I could see Melissa dress better and she seemed to grow in confidence.  I think she started accepting and liking herself at a deeper level. 

My body is all about energy and how I feel: It really doesn’t include anyone else.  For me, what doesn’t work, is trying to lose weight for someone else.  What does work is asking myself questions and waiting for really good answers.   I will start with a few questions I have been using.  All these questions might turn into a work book in about a year.

Slipping into something more comfortable might mean side stepping resistance by saying “it would be nice to lose at least 3 pounds a month.”  Esther calls that the wouldn’t it be nice exercise.  I have some beliefs about weight loss, and one of those seems to be fear of weight loss.  Somewhere within me my weight serves a purpose, but I really need to know what that is so I can negotiate with that ego place.  So my first question is:  What does being heavier do for me?  What is it that I gain from this state of being?   I am working on those answers and getting somethings back.  I will share later. 

Recently, I asked myself what do I need to do today to lose 5 pounds this month?  That is straight forward.  I found a calorie counting book.  Calorie counting should work.  I have found it doesn’t work if I am eating for emotional reasons or having diabetic cravings.  So for me that looks like managing my diabetes, stabilizing my emotions and eating a high vibratory diet.  That all makes sense and when I eat out, I am choosing the least amount of calories but I make sure it is a “happy meal.”  I like eating it. 

Personally I have type 2 diabetes and some mood swings.  Those two create an amusement park ride for me. (I created it) Esther Hicks book, “Ask and it is Given”, says that when you ask for something, there is a virtual reality version of it that is created.  The question is this; when will you line up with that new reality and leave the past behind?  You might have a virtual million dollars in the bank but what side of you will allow that to happen and spend it?  It might be better for someone with lots of weight to lose to concentrate on other goals like bringing in a great deal of money.  That seems easier in many ways. 

In the mean time I am trying fun new things.  I am trying fresh new strategies with less urgency and less taking score of failed attempts.  I only track the successes right now.  That might be one pound less or just feeling lighter.   That leads to another question. I got on the scale and it was three pounds down from last time.  After doing a happy dance I had to ask, what did I do this week to manifest this?  What went right?  What worked here?  That is a great question to ask and answer. 

What causes diabetes anyway?  The medical people don’t know for sure.  I feel it has everything to do with the American diet but perhaps there is more.  I am reading a book that speaks of the assault on the whole endocrine system due to stress.  We live in a stressful world.  This can cause adrenal fatigue and eating lots of animal products is not helping. This in turn causes the enzymes not to work and the adrenal glands.  There is really a cluster of things that cause the pancreas to function poorly over time.  That is a lengthy discussion.   The question I ask myself is, how can I relax more and enjoy this day more?   I can almost imagine the little fat cells smiling and ridding themselves of excess.  It is that nice feeling of cleaning out a closet and taking the old stuff to a thrift store.  I don’t have to hang on to outworn things.

I am experimenting and asking questions.  I look at my thoughts and beliefs and try and reason with my inner self to let go of old and useless things.  I ask for fresh new energetic ideas to flow to me and inspire me.  I am also asking to slip into a lighter version of my body.  This one skips through the day and does not feel burdened down.  When someone is overweight it is hard on joints to carry that fat suit around all day.  So maybe my last question for this blog is, do I really need to do that?  I cannot lose 60 pounds overnight so I will have to be accepting that my body is doing its best to deal with extra weight.  I really want to dance more, float through my day more, have more energy throughout the day.  I do look in the mirror and appreciate that I have a body that functions well and is rather graceful in spite of all that it lives through.  I accept that little tiny changes are happening each day and I move into a lighter self in increments. 

There are so many more questions to ask.  I will have more to say in the near future.  So far this is helping me a great deal and I wanted to share it all. Slipping into a healthier size and way of being is easier than I ever imagined. 

Riding the Wave of Bipolar Symptoms

Surfing with Bi-polar bears

Managing anything that has to do with the human spectrum of feelings and emotions is a tall order.  Managing is almost the same as controlling something. Kindness and integration work most effectively with this more gentle way of managing.  To me it might mean being person-centered with yourself and almost a quiet observer to most of those roller coaster moments.  Don't seek hospitalization unless you or a loved one become so out of control that it is dangerous. Rather, let the emotions take their ride and then process it later when all is well.

There are alternatives to medications.  As you may know there are many class action tort cases regarding the damaging effects of psycho-pharmaceutic drugs. Many of these drugs are toxic to the nervous system and cause permanent damage.

Two well know sources to look at would be psychiatrist Dr. Peter Breggin, who is a regular talk show host on Coast to Coast AM and has written some amazing books:  https://www.amazon.com/s?ie=UTF8&page=1&rh=n%3A283155%2Cp_27%3APeter%20Breggin

Also Robert Whitaker wrote a book called Mad in America that I highly recommend for yourself or a loved one.  https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_2_14?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=mad+in+america+by+robert+whitaker&sprefix=Mad+in+America%2Cstripbooks%2C194&rh=n%3A283155%2Ck%3Amad+in+america+by+robert+whitaker

They (Robert and Peter) speak of eliminating the toxic drugs and using other therapies instead.  I call mental health in America maddening indeed from the mistreatment of the mentally ill to the three ring circus of providers and disability adjudication.  It is beyond stigmatizing to be escorted to a mental health facility where people are strapped down, drugged, barked orders to, and awaken to 5 AM blood draws after a sleepless night listening to others scream, talk to themselves, or just shuffle about. It is far from therapeutic for many.  There are times when loved ones have no choice it seems.  That is because the right choices were not considered long ago before all the monkeying around with drugs and brain chemistry.  Choices diminish greatly if someone is court ordered to take medication.  So should someone be forced to be on medication?  I don’t have that answer because I can think of times when it might be necessary but not the ideal.

When we think of invasive treatment, medication can be one of the most horrible ones.  People report many adverse side effects.  They can feel anxiety, burning brain, lethargy, fatigued, thirsty, headaches, insomnia, muscle spasms, diarrhea, weight gain, loss of sex drive or libido, men grow breast tissue, and involuntary tremors.  Dr. Breggin also mentions the chemical lobotomy that goes on for many making life a dreary thing and many people become reproductively sterile.  I wonder if that was intentional?

I have witness many nightmares with family members and I have gone through a few myself.  Some strategies have emerged.  When I say strategies I think of the Silver Lining Playbook movie.  That movie was ground breaking in that it brought robust discussion of mental health diagnoses to the forefront. It is easier to have a more robust, less shameful conversation about these types of problems. Sweeping mental health issues under the carpet has led to many social problems and myths.

Some alternatives to consider and to bring to the prescribing doctors are the following: 

First a disclaimer:  Never withdraw from medication on your own.  Dr. Breggin has a book that advises providers how to help others titrate off these very powerful medications.   The body has become accustomed to not producing serotonin or dopamine or both as the neuro receptors are blocked from absorbing these natural neuro chemicals.  You might have heard of serotonin re-uptake inhibitors.  It is quite dangerous to then stop and flood the brain with these naturally occurring chemicals after a period of not having them.  It can create psychosis. Also mood stabilizers were often developed from research for epilepsy and they might create a disturbance as well.  As I understand it, some chemicals and naturally occurring salts can cross the cerebrum's hemispheric division and some cannot. When one starts using layman’s terms it really demystifies what is being done to your brain chemistry via drugs.  Don’t DIY on any of this.  There are some strategies for lowering psycho-pharmaceuticals and safe ways to come off of these drugs.

Bi-Polar Bears on stage

OK and up to now…there are been few therapies offered except for medication and perhaps some (CBT)groups. Managed Health Care is really cutting back on individual therapy. It depends on the type of insurance one has. There is an odd partnership between the huge pharmaceutical companies and psychiatry.  Anything else seems to be dismissed.  Big Pharma and mental health providers have been in bed together for quite a while.  I wonder if there is any breaking up of that relationship? 

These are some things to research and I will have to speak about each one to some degree in future blog postings. 

Vitamins and nutrition: There is so much leading edge research saying that hospital stays where patients were receiving intravenous vitamins and minerals helped a great deal.  Exercise helps stimulate serotonin and dopamine and really those are your “calming and uplifting” friends.  So to combine these two is extremely effective.  Get the vitamins and minerals, eat well with the leafy greens, and rice and beans and raw fruits and vegetables, go for a walk or swim, and within a few days, these patients are not delusional, not depressed, and not anxious.  It is incredible that all this happens without sedating and strapping people down.

Full acceptance of the person having mental health issues.  I like to call it person centered therapy.  Having respect and unconditional positive regard (love) for patients is the basic idea of person centered treatment.  I worked with children in schools and we used child-centered play therapy.  The children were able to balance emotions, discover solutions, and re-direct themselves through play therapy.  There is adult play therapy as well.   Imagine combining, nutrition, exercise, and supplements with a playful environment.  Water volley ball, non-competitive soccer, bicycle polo, dancing, and hiking are all great ways to get a sunshine bath, socialize, and enjoy the day.  Sunshine encourages certain vitamins to work better.  And certain minerals encourage other minerals to be absorbed. 

When it comes to processing feelings I love art therapy and music therapy as well as narrative therapy.  Narrative therapy works beautifully with bipolar diagnosed individuals.  They are the creative people who love expressing themselves through various mediums.  I think of Jim Carey, Vincent Van Gogh, Isabella Duncan, Ernest Hemingway, Brian Wilson (Beach Boys) and thousands of others who have conveyed so much through their humor, dancing, writing, and art and admittedly they have had mental health issues.  Many of these artist have taken us to new levels of human expression.  Even some of the brilliant inventors like Steve Jobs and Nicola Tesla were in that eccentric genius rare zone of the bipolar person.  I was surprised to hear Joan Baez speak of her own mental health issues and that it was hard to go on stage at times due to the fear she had  She seemed so confident. Transitioning the topic to the absence of fear...

finding balance with all life

Mania might be the most dangerous phase for many.  My uncle loved to fly planes, but we think he might have been doing risky things like barn storming when he crashed.  There are many who will drive fast and take risks during mania. I will have to come back to that one because any sage advice eludes me.  I would recommend Yoga and meditation for relaxation during energy overloads. It would be good to up the exercise part too,  but there is probably a bit more that could help. 

Environment is very important in managing bipolar swings.   Having people who understand and accept you is so important.  Seek help in managing finances and paying bills if needed.  Bipolar diagnosed people can wind up homeless when they are unable to manage the rent payment and paying other bills.  Often time picking up someone when they get their food stamps and then going shopping with him is a great service. They can buy big quantities that will hopefully last a month or near that. There are some things like produce that will not.  However, getting some canned goods and other staples will be very important. 

Safety is also part of environment.  Bipolar mood episodes make some people very vulnerable.  They are easy prey at times.  Some are more likely to be robbed or molested.  They might not be able to tell what is reality and then they are susceptible to the trickery of others.  Creating a safe life style is so important.  As much as safety is a huge factor, some institutions are very prison like and do not even allow patients to go outside.  That is not the quality of life that works for this highly creative group.  I think there might be a bracelet that would track people who wonder away in a delusional state so that someone might check up on them.  Check up, not like a parent, but like a friend who wants to reach out.  

reaching out is magical

As far as tending to first person, second person and my voice, this writing is not stellar.  I felt the need to spill all my thoughts.  I hope it will spawn further exploration.  There are vast amounts of new therapies coming down the road.  Honestly, it cannot arrive soon enough.  Too many horror stories exist in this mental health field.

If you are dealing with thoughts of suicide, you can speak to someone immediately here or call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, which you can reach at 1-800-273-8255.

Ten reasons I don’t want to be your friend Anymore

1.     You are always self-occupied.  Even when you do a favor for me I believe that you are keeping score.  I will owe you.  When I start telling you an anecdote you don’t let me finish because you are sharing one of yours.  I usually cannot get a word in edgewise.  Yes, I have overlooked it for years but eventually I am thinking, not a good fulfilling friendship.  This person is not really interested in me or anything I have to share.

2.     You never just listen to me; you jump in with advice way too soon.  Often I have already tried the things you suggest.  I have already thought of those things.  There might be more to the story, maybe there are pieces I just am not able to share.  Just listening with empathy might be all I am needing, unless I come out and ask, “what would you do”. 

3.     You are to ready to judge me.  If someone comes to you with gossip or something that is good and not in my best interest, you are willing to jump on board.  You participated in that gossip not knowing if it was true or not.  It got back to me and it made me quite sad because, often I have defended you for something very similar.  We are human and all of us make mistakes.  I might be in a bad mood sometimes but mostly I am caring and understanding. Allow people to have a “bad hair day” like when the Paparazzi catches a celebrity on their way to the drug store, feeling ill, and no make-up.  Yeah we all have those moments.  Right?

4.     When I have a small win or achievement you are discounting that or trying to outdo it with one of your personal achievements.  It is perfectly OK to celebrate achievements with your friends.  And if someone is unable to celebrate with you that is OK too. But is that friend consistently not available or not happy for you for some reason? OK not a healthy friendship.  I remember getting an A in biology and chemistry and my friend got C’s.  He was so jealous he said, “you had really easy teachers.”  No that was not the reason.  Real friends will be supportive of your success and not threatened by it.

5.     When you call it is always a great deal of drama.  I am just there to emotionally dump on.  Maybe I just took my cat to the vet, and cannot deal with drama and emotion at that moment.  Maybe it is the anniversary of a loved one’s death.  Maybe the last time I called with some tearful news, you were not able to talk.  Maybe I am not the one to always be “there” as a shoulder to cry on. 

6.     When I call you are always asking me questions I don’t want to answer. Questions like, have you lost weight or has your ex-boyfriend called lately.  Did you get that job you interviewed for?  Instead of just letting the conversation flow easily into areas of mutual interests, it seems like an interrogation.  If I change subjects, that is a clue that probably my boyfriend has not called, no I didn’t get that job, and no I am still fat. 

7.     Although I don’t keep score on doing favors, if the only time I see or hear from you is when you need me to spot you some money or do another favor for you,  it is not a healthy reciprocal relationship. If I stay in that sort of “friendship” I am not honoring myself.  In other words, I have poor boundaries.  Since I do psychic readings, often it is to someone advantage to “become a friend”.  They will do that by asking me personal questions.  Then they can give me some sage advice and then it becomes a quid pro quo session.  I have much better boundaries with that, I just don’t share personal info.   There are clients who have become friends along the way but it was for all the right reasons. 

8.     People sometimes get off on the wrong foot.  If I am having a bad day, and someone else is having an equal bad day, it is unfair to judge them one way or the other.  In the third grade, there was the new girl, and I did not like her.  I was quite catty to her.  Perhaps jealousy.  After a very emotional fight we became best friends.  That is a typical syndrome of alpha females.  Be careful of the ones who seem like friends but are really frenemies.  We all have come across people sweet as peach pie, but they don’t like you.  Once you discover who they are, they are not in your inner circle any more, well at least not mine.

9.     In spite of what I said about “not jumping in with advice”, there is an exception. There are advice-giver people who are more acquaintances, in my world; however, I can think of some moments when I had a big decision to make, and significant others let me make the wrong choice without a whisper of objection.  They are not my real friends.  There is, on the other hand, a friend I am thinking of that stopped me from making a horrible mistake.   I was about to move in with a roommate who had a bad alcohol problem.  It would have been hell.  My friend was very emotional about asking me to reconsider.  Intuitively, I probably knew better but was not listening to my inner guru or higher perspective.  Thank God for those people who occasionally stopped me from jumping out into traffic (metaphorically speaking).  Those are your real friends.  Keep them close.

10.The last is a Hodge podge of annoying things.  If anyone does not understand my right to self-actualize and the important person that I am (we are all important), they will put their own agendas above mine.  That does not make them a bad person, but, I am forewarned that they lean towards self-gratification.  They will offer help but not follow through.  The best protection is to not really count on them.  On the other hand, I need to be aware of people who do nice little things for me.  Sometimes, they are taken for granted and that is a shame.  When I am in the right place (zone) my heart will attract the right people into my life.  When I am  not in the right place,  I just put up some good boundaries, and ignore some people.  

Cinderella's Fantasy Deflated & Then Aerated

My favorite fairy tale, Cinderella, was enlivened by an amazing women for me.  There is a very positive message in most fairy tales that goodness triumphs in the end.  Somewhere there is a knight in shining armor, thank the stars above, who will fulfill our longings.  In fact the male role models are very positive.   Nowhere in that fantasy is the handsome prince a misaligned abusive brute.  He is totally charming and totally in love with Cinderella.  What if after three years this happily ever after story evaporates?  It might seem to evaporate but that means there is something even better down the road.  This story does not have a sad ending.

Recently, I was doing a tarot card reading for a lady who broke down in tears.  I felt horrible and yet I had the feeling she needed to cry.  She requested an appointment to counsel with me regarding career guidance.  Her cards revealed a heart with daggers in it.  I told her that I understand her tears.  The truth was an ugly one that she was trying to suppress, however; the truth was flooding through her eyes.  If nothing else we were able to allow that release and discover the origin of her sadness.  I was gifted with the fuller explanation of this cataclysmic event. 

I explained that a handsome man had swept her off her feet and it felt like a fairy tale coming true. This Prince constructed a reality that answered every possible hope she had held.   He made promises to her of undying love. Can anyone really promise that? Perhaps partnerships need to include the fact that people and relationships sometimes change. I suggest a new marriage contract. That is a blog down the road. Right now I am faced with the huge chasm of feeling dumped off a lovely romantic ride. My clients tears suggested she had just disconnected from the matrix. She swallowed the wrong pill in this situation.  

For a while my client was living the Cinderella story and trusting that it would continue.  She worked hard to cultivate the future with him. She had invested her life force, her love, and her money. This woman before me has the occupation of being a special education teacher as well as working a second job.  He on the other had has not been employed for a year.  She purchased an automobile in both of their names and yet he was never able to make a payment on that car.  Over the last year, he has become demanding and abusive.  I saw this woman was now realizing the dream was over, and yet she desired to hang on a bit longer. She had been like that frog in the pot of water.  At first the water feels comfortable like a Jacuzzi and slowly the heat increases.  She had barely enough energy to jump from this pot of hot water and save her life.  That is exactly what she needed to do. This couple was not legally married, but it might have been better for her if they were.  She then asked a question that took me back a few steps.  I assumed she understood that she needed to immediately leave this person. Sometimes things get better, but, this was not going to happen.

She looked quite worried and said, “But …will he be OK?”  I grimaced thinking that she still doesn’t see that she is the victim here.  I don’t like the word victim but it was evident that he was a parasitic self-serving con artist.  I even used the word narcissist to describe him.  Sometimes the heart does not hear the words right.  She still had feelings for him.  Anti social, narcissistic men are experts at painting a rosy picture and they do manage to make it appear real.  These narcissists are also very keen on sniffing out the type of women who will buy into their creative and well-designed fairy tale. I add that most men are not like this. Most men are wonderful. I said that this would not be a sad story. Women do believe these psychopaths sometimes but they are good at seduction.  In fact, I am quite sure that is why parents became the brokers of marriages in the old world.  Parents might better see past the illusionary fog of hormones and wishful thinking.  I had to regain my composure and say “let me see if I can explain this in a better way”.   I prayed and asked my guides to bring the words to me that she might hear.

I asked her for the name of this man.  Then I dealt some more cards and laid them out.  I said, he already has plan A and plan B worked out.  He knows that he cannot continue this lie to your heart and that you are waking up from a nice dream and realizing who he really is.  He already knows that his time is short in this relationship.  In fact, he might have plans of just driving away in the car you are making payments on. 

I am sure I sounded like “hard hearted Hanna”.  It was more and more clear to me, but, was becoming crystal clear to her?  She changed the subject and asked me about an old flame.  I dealt some very good cards regarding him.  They were a good match.  I described him and she remembered how happy she was during that relationship.  The energy around her changed a great deal.  I realized that her Higher Self stepped into this story.  Her Higher Self was the knight in shining armor that would rescue her from her present peril.  The Universe had that other glass slipper and was ready to slip it on her dainty foot. Like the fairy godmother, the Universe always knows our heart and our wishes. This fairy godmother knows what size slipper will fit you in advance.

I saw the Cinderella story as being an allegory of the relationship between the human childlike side of ourselves and the Higher God Connection.  Like a fairy godmother and dancing pumpkins and enchanted castles, the Universe conspires to make our dreams come true.  It was a beautiful realization for me and a splendid ending to this story.  My client was off on her next romantic adventure.  My only advice as she waltzed out my front door, “take it slow, desperation does not look good on us single females.”

Some would call that game playing, however; I do not.  When dating we need to step back and smell the roses from our balcony. In fact, the Cinderella story illuminates the necessity of being a bit of a mystery. By leaving the ball at midnight she exits on a high note leaving the prince entranced.  This Juliet on the balcony moment need not end tragically.  It can be a wonderful moment to savor.

As females we need to have a wait and see attitude before giving our tender hearts away.  I do speak from experience in this regard.  As I look back I can see the red flags emerging but the problem was:  I had already jumped in with both feet and was on the end of that hook.  Those hooks have some very pretty lures some times.   The Universe did send valiant messengers to save me and help me re-build my life.  I feel that I cannot survive another romantic pot hole.   I don’t think I can take another wild ride.   I do think my advice on this subject should be duly noted.  Now I can wear my own little tiara and enjoy my palace.   

This is me doing a hole in the wall photo. It is needing work.

All You Need is a Happy Face Frog and Duct Tape

 

Just smile and fake it until you make it.  Or find the silver lining in a situation.  Or just make some lemonade out of those lemons.  Then you can pull yourself up by the boot straps and get back in that race because everybody plays the fool sometimes: Oh my and it doesn't seem to really take care of the issue sometimes.  

New Age Philosophy seems to want to bridge sadness with a quick fix.  When there is a frowny face put a happy face sticker on it and all is suddenly good with life.   Law of Attraction says that if you are fixated on a thought or feeling for more than 68 seconds, it gains momentum.  When a feeling or belief gains momentum it is because, just like sticky tape it will roll around picking up like minded others or thoughts.  It becomes a snow ball rolling downhill. 

Some teachers are telling the truth when they say there is no bottom to that rabbit hole. Usually it ends of course but not before it has caused some mayhem and destruction in its wake.  The collateral damage can be verbal outbursts and injuring others and it might be a near fatal car accident.  Anger, jealousy, insecurity, inferiority, intolerance, fear, worry and anxiety collect friends along the way.  These are bad friends and they are carnivorous in their ugly appetite.  So it is not good to allow those hitch hikers to tag along.  Some things are just tenacious in our memories.  I look for a solution that will really close up a wound and make it better. 

Somewhere inside me is a memory that I don’t want to think of.  There are childhood memories that just seem to come out of the blue and promise to play havoc with my mood.  I realize today that I have been avoiding things that happened.  I don’t like to think about them.  There are many ways of avoiding things and some of those ways are not healthy.  Going into a bar to drink and share a sad story is what all Hollywood movies seem to suggest.  That is not a good way to close a wound.  Some people get really involved in projects and work.  They become workaholics.  Unfortunately sooner or later they must take a Holiday or Vacation.  When they do they rarely enjoy it.  They have forgotten how to relax and have fun.   Some people become sex addicts or relationship addicts.  I think those two are close cousins.   A new relationship is always fun and exciting.   At some point you will really get to know that person.  There are semi funny stories about going away with someone for a fun trip and being stuck in an airport for 3 days.  You will see the not pretty side of the person you are with.  There is a long list of avoidance behaviors and none of them work very well.  They do not liberate you from a tragic memory for very long.  There are some things that will help. 

Back up from the memory.  Pretend you are a witness standing on the side line of a childhood event.  That may or may not help.  For me sometimes that is worse.  I wonder why I am not rushing in to saving a screaming victim. 

Today I found something that does work.  It worked for me and it is still working.  This epiphany is a Higher Mind one. That is why I am blogging about it.  Instead of running from a bad feeling memory or thought, I just allowed it to happen (on one condition.)  I asked God to hold my hand and heal it.  God, let’s look at this together and then it might evaporate from my life stage. In previous postings I speak of my Near Death Experience.  I was promised that I would not face this world alone and suffer when I returned to the present 3D world.    All I have to do is request; ask; pray for assistance and it will be given.  So I asked.  I felt a huge relief in looking at this memory from a slightly more expansive perspective.  I felt comforted in a deeper way by seeing there was a life lesson.  It was not a bad karma lesson at all.  There is almost no way to share what I learned with my readers.  It is so highly personal and specialized.  For the first time I could really let go.  It was not duct taped nor happy faced. There was a deeper lasting peace today.  In fact, I did not even have to totally understand why it happened in the first place. That sort of logic just isn’t a true satisfier.  I felt no anger or victimhood that it did happen. Forgiveness? What is that anyway?  I think I have tried that and it felt really nauseatingly fake. It had that duct tape a broken arm feeling. There is true forgiveness and for me that is acceptance that we all do dumb hurtful things at times. If we could see the bigger picture we probably would not have acted badly.  The forgiveness I felt today is more light hearted and liberating than those other feelings. 

Now I am starting to even smile a little.  This time it is a smile that is bubbling up like helium from my inner soul.   In the past managing my emotions was like herding cats.  There was some control but mostly I chose to avoid bad memories.   This time it feels like I fenced them in with a great deal of kindness and acceptance.  I even can go as far as to say these experiences have deepened me.  Bad experiences don't need to beat me up if I can just take them at their temporary value and let them go.  Without trying too hard I did become that observer and I had another Bigger Observer with me.  Instead of multiple viewpoints we all became one.  I am certainly going to try this again because it was a successful fix for my angst. Life is messy business sometimes.  It is not a paint by numbers project.  It is like this; don't do your own dentistry, plumbing or brain surgery.  You don't have to be the expert with the up to date manual.  Just Call Out 1 800 God Help.  It sure saved my butt today.