I know I said I would not write until winter but, I need to today. Writing and pruning are the only two things that help calm my mind.
Truthfully, I have not been doing that well the last few days. My mind will not stop racing and I am finding it very difficult to slow down. One part of my brain is telling me to give up and filling my mind with negative things about myself and the other half is telling me to continue fighting and reminding me that there are so many positive aspects to my life. It is a very complex battle and so far, I have been able to win it. It can be very draining but, I will try to take it day by day.
I do have counseling tonight which should be helpful. One of the things she talked to me about was mind reading. I create so much inner turmoil for myself because I often think I know what people think of me or how they may judge me. I create negative scenarios in my mind for what may happen when in actuality, it is nothing close to the truth. I am very good at what I do but, I had an off day Friday and took some things way out of context and now I constantly worry I have jeopardized this amazing opportunity I have been given.
I had an osteopath appointment today which really helped me. Not only is my osteopath amazingly good at what he does, he is very easy to talk to and we have developed a strong connection. I always enjoy our time together and consider him a friend of mine. I was feeling very low this morning and my mind was spinning in a negative direction. Just feeling connected to someone else and talking some things through, I felt so much better and I am thankful to him for that.
If others could see inside my mind, a light bulb would go off and they would understand. Unfortunately , that is not the way things work. I can only work hard at doing the best I can and I cannot always control what others thoughts or feelings towards me. It is just so fucking frustrating for me at times. I have come so far but, my mind regresses like this on occasion and it can be very difficult to manage.
I already feel far better this afternoon than I have the last three or four days and I am going to try to think about things much past today.
I have had the opportunity to visit Jodi's folks Bernie and Karen the last week. They are such wonderful people and I am very fortunate to have them as in laws. We have had a chance to play some golf and have some nice dinners together. I think I am on the grill tonight which I am looking forward to. We have a few more days with them which will be great. I think we are playing some more golf tomorrow. Family is so important and I am thankful for the time we have had.
I also had the chance to visit with my brother Ryan. We were able to have some good conversations and get in a bit of tennis. Those moments are special to me. I do not see him too often as he lives out west. I am lucky to have the brothers and sister I have as they have played an instrumental part in getting me to where I am today. Safe travels Ry.
On Sunday, I said goodbye to a dear friend, Nan. Unfortunately, she has terminal cancer. I visited her at a hospice in Guelph. I knew it would be the last time I saw her and we had a nice moment together. I held her hand and told her I loved her. I kissed her on the forehead and said good bye. It is not often you get a chance to say good bye to someone before their time comes. She is a beautiful person inside and out. She has a kind soul and a generous spirit. She was there for me in some dark times and I am thankful for the chats we had around their dining room table. I will miss her and know she will be at peace and in a better place. Love you Nan.
I truly hope this finds you well. Take care, Shawn.
My name is Shawn. This is a blog of my journey through life with bi-polar disorder.
Tuesday, 17 July 2018
Monday, 2 July 2018
Happy Canada Day
Happy Canada Day Weekend.
Canada Day is my favorite day of the year. Normally it is the one day a year that I can kind of forget that I live with bi polar and addictions and embrace the celebration of this amazing country.
It has been kind of an up and down few weeks. I have really been trying hard to focus at work and have have had some of the best weeks I have had in 8 years of landscaping. I had one day that I let a physical ailment affect my work and did a really shitty job of trimming. It won't happen again as I do not like letting people down. Work has been a positive outlet for me. I have struggled in other aspects of life. I was in a severe depression last Sunday but managed to find a way out of it. I will write in the winter as to what severe depression looks like inside my mind as I think it would give some context for others.
I want so much to succeed. At my marriage. At my work. As a son. As a brother. As a friend.
My disorder can be very selfish at times and I find it difficult to see outside of my own mind. I know it can be and has been very challenging for others to deal with the complexity of my thought patterns and mood swings. I have never meant to make it difficult on others and I carry guilt with me on a pretty constant basis for what others have endured through my illness. I do my best to manage but, it takes so much inner strength and I often feel like I have nothing left. Perhaps if I had known what I know now about mental illness and my own disorder 20 years a go, things would be different.
On that note, I think it is so important to reach young people. Letting them know that it is ok not to be ok. That there is help for them and they do not need to struggle on their own. The time I had the opportunity to speak to some high school classes was one of the most fulfilling moments in my life as I felt I was able to reach them on some level with my story. http://getintouchforhutch.com/ Get in touch for hutch is a wonderful program in our area that raises awareness and funds for youths who may be struggling. If you have a moment, take a look at their website and if you feel so inclined, perhaps make a donation. Programs like theirs are so important. I wish I had made the run this year but, I will make sure Jodi and I make it out next year.
We had a chance to watch my brother Ryan's good friend Pat Anderson and his wife play at the Grand River Theater. Their band is called " The Lay Awakes". Their music was beautiful and Pat and Anna complimented each other so well with their harmonies. If you have a chance to look them up, you should give them a listen. Their new album Home A Way From Home just came out. https://www.thelayawakes.com/
My wife Jodi has been through more than someone should have ever had to. Living with someone with my particular illness and addictions is extremely difficult and crippling at times. I owe her my life and the opportunities I have had to experience love and commitment even when I did not deserve it. She is a very special person to me and her and Ollie are the reasons I have even had a shot and making something of my life. ttt
I am more than likely going to take a break from writing until the winter. It is not that I do not love writing but, I need to take the next few months to work harder on myself and find some sense of peace within me.
I hope this finds you well. Enjoy the rest of your summer. Take care, Shawn.
Canada Day is my favorite day of the year. Normally it is the one day a year that I can kind of forget that I live with bi polar and addictions and embrace the celebration of this amazing country.
It has been kind of an up and down few weeks. I have really been trying hard to focus at work and have have had some of the best weeks I have had in 8 years of landscaping. I had one day that I let a physical ailment affect my work and did a really shitty job of trimming. It won't happen again as I do not like letting people down. Work has been a positive outlet for me. I have struggled in other aspects of life. I was in a severe depression last Sunday but managed to find a way out of it. I will write in the winter as to what severe depression looks like inside my mind as I think it would give some context for others.
I want so much to succeed. At my marriage. At my work. As a son. As a brother. As a friend.
My disorder can be very selfish at times and I find it difficult to see outside of my own mind. I know it can be and has been very challenging for others to deal with the complexity of my thought patterns and mood swings. I have never meant to make it difficult on others and I carry guilt with me on a pretty constant basis for what others have endured through my illness. I do my best to manage but, it takes so much inner strength and I often feel like I have nothing left. Perhaps if I had known what I know now about mental illness and my own disorder 20 years a go, things would be different.
On that note, I think it is so important to reach young people. Letting them know that it is ok not to be ok. That there is help for them and they do not need to struggle on their own. The time I had the opportunity to speak to some high school classes was one of the most fulfilling moments in my life as I felt I was able to reach them on some level with my story. http://getintouchforhutch.com/ Get in touch for hutch is a wonderful program in our area that raises awareness and funds for youths who may be struggling. If you have a moment, take a look at their website and if you feel so inclined, perhaps make a donation. Programs like theirs are so important. I wish I had made the run this year but, I will make sure Jodi and I make it out next year.
We had a chance to watch my brother Ryan's good friend Pat Anderson and his wife play at the Grand River Theater. Their band is called " The Lay Awakes". Their music was beautiful and Pat and Anna complimented each other so well with their harmonies. If you have a chance to look them up, you should give them a listen. Their new album Home A Way From Home just came out. https://www.thelayawakes.com/
My wife Jodi has been through more than someone should have ever had to. Living with someone with my particular illness and addictions is extremely difficult and crippling at times. I owe her my life and the opportunities I have had to experience love and commitment even when I did not deserve it. She is a very special person to me and her and Ollie are the reasons I have even had a shot and making something of my life. ttt
I am more than likely going to take a break from writing until the winter. It is not that I do not love writing but, I need to take the next few months to work harder on myself and find some sense of peace within me.
I hope this finds you well. Enjoy the rest of your summer. Take care, Shawn.
The truth is rarely pure and never simple.
Oscar Wilde
Read more at: https://www.brainyquote.com/topics/truth_is
Read more at: https://www.brainyquote.com/topics/truth_is
The truth is rarely pure and never simple.
Oscar Wilde
Read more at: https://www.brainyquote.com/topics/truth_is
Read more at: https://www.brainyquote.com/topics/truth_is
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