Entry #21: It’s Not About You!

Being bipolar, my brain soaks in ALL the information around me. When I want to improve in an area of myself, I study it. I am watching YouTubes, reading books, meditating and seeking out how I can love my enemies. It’s easy to love people who love you back, but what if you could just hold your head high living life in peace regardless of what others think, say or do?

My kids are all grown up, but back to school can feel like New Year’s Eve – a time for new beginnings. Disclaimer! If someone is abusive, please seek out help. I am talking about people like the movie Mean Girls. No matter what you do, they don’t like you. You don’t understand why people are unkind. I am sorry to break it to you, but not everyone is going to like you. Do you like everyone? No! Before you read on, I bet all of you are mad at someone. Who is it and why? Are you easily offended? I encourage you to take a moment right now to write out your answers. Some of you are going to get a new freedom if you DO the work. You can get all the therapy in the world, but YOU are the one who needs to do the work. Now that you are done, let’s read on why choosing peace at all cost 24/7 will change your life immediately.

As a farm kid, back home we have a saying that when someone mistreats you or talks badly about you, “Just let it roll off your shoulders like water off a duck’s back.” Don’t let anyone steal your peace. It is just not worth it. We can get so concerned about our hair, outfits of the day, what social media says, and our worth and value in what we do. Don’t focus on the storm around you. We all have seen hurricanes on TV and the devastating aftermath they leave behind, but did you know thatthe middle (known as the eye) is calm with clear skies and very little rain? You can be the outside of the storm, or the peaceful middle, but you can’t be both. What do you choose today?

 

Stephanie Preston creates powerful, humorous videos on managing bipolar disorder symptoms. She is a Social Service Worker, Health Care Aide and suffers from severe bipolar depression herself. She is the proud wife of St. Thomas Mayor Joe Preston, loves being a grandma and is Crossfit obsessed. Follow her at www.tiktok.com/@bipolaronthebrain and www.facebook.com/bipolaronthebrain.