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Bipolar And Learning to Love Yourself and Others

November 26, 2013 Alexa Poe

A professor of mine died last week after a long battle with pancreatic cancer. I had him during my first semester at university for a human spirituality course, and even though I didn’t know him well, I thought he was amazing and admired him very much. He was brilliant and charming and funny, and during the service, so many of his students and colleagues, peers, and other experts in his field spoke of how caring and gentle he was, how he could shrug off anything and just be at peace.

I cried throughout the ceremony. There were so many people there from different walks of life, different faiths and cultures and ages, and he accepted everyone. I learned and realized many things that night, and I’m still struggling with the guilt of not getting to know him better.

Things I Learned

If you love or admire someone, let them know. People always say “you don’t know what you have until it’s gone.” As much as I hate to say it, it’s true. I didn’t know this professor well at all, but I wish I had told him how much he taught me. That night, I talked to an old teacher of mine who I’m close to and told him how much he means to me.

Being bipolar and learning to love yourself and others results in less guilt and can be a lifelong journey. Here are a few ways to learn how to love yourself.

Always take a step back, breathe, and think. Just be mindful of your surroundings. Take inventory of your emotions and physical feelings. If you feel like self-injuring or yelling or whatever it is, think before you act if you can.

… And don’t argue. This is something I really struggle with. Irritability is a bipolar symptom, and also a bad trait of mine, but I've really been trying to just stop when I'm feeling angry, close my eyes, and breathe deeply.

Just be. Again, take inventory of your thoughts. It's okay to think and feel the things you're feeling. Talk to yourself and try to talk yourself through what's happening.

Appreciate what you have.

Of course, these things are easier said than done, and I’m currently struggling with the idea of just implementing one of them in my life. Remember, though, that we’re all on a journey to recovery – a quest to finding your own personal identity, to be content with yourself, and to love yourself enough to forgive yourself and others.

Schools and universities are filled with many amazing people. Talk to them and get to know them – you never know what you’ll learn, and maybe you’ll be lucky enough to find a lifelong teacher who can still find a way to teach you after they're gone.

You can also find Alexa Poe on Google+, Facebook and Twitter.

APA Reference
Poe, A. (2013, November 26). Bipolar And Learning to Love Yourself and Others, HealthyPlace. Retrieved on 2024, March 29 from https://www.healthyplace.com/blogs/bipolarvida/2013/11/learning-to-love-yourself-and-to-love-others



Author: Alexa Poe

sandracobban
November, 26 2013 at 5:45 am

This is a sad story but appropriate.
My first psych here,was a lovely older British guy...with polio..
He taught me a lot, was like a second father..
He never let his polio stand in the way of his dreams.
He was born in South Africa,wealthy family.
Put himself thru Oxford university using elbow crutches and later an electric wheelchair.
I knew him many years..
Then my appts with him were getting cancelled..I didn't know he was sick..
First was pneumonia..
Later,lung cancer...again,all I knew was wrong was the pneumonia....
Then,one day I received a letter from my Drs secretary...
He'd passed away from lung cancer,I didn't even realize he had.....
She also ( knowing I'd be devastated) sent a lengthy bio of his life...
Wow,what an inspirational man,kind gentle,yet,outspoken.
Brutally honest,like my own Dad.
How it wished I knew how ill he was...there was so much I wished I could've said...
At least sent a card..I cried like I lost family...
This man saved my life,kept me out of hospital 7 yrs.
So,I called his secretary,long talk.
Then another day months later,ran into her at Wallmart....
Anyway,I will close this as it still hurts,as I lost my Fad recently too 2 yrs ago...
You never realize how lucky & blessed to were..till they are gone...
However,on a more positive note,alot of my best most admirable qualities have flowered due to the presence of these two incredible,strong,dignified & cultured men.
RIP.always in my mind & my flower in my garden of ...life.....

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Alexa Poe
November, 26 2013 at 6:38 am

Thank you so much for sharing. I'm sorry for your loss, and I hope it becomes easier for you.
Take care,
Alexa

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