Sunday, May 4, 2014

Would You Opt Out of Mental Illness, if You Could?

by Carley Cooper

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I’m writing a book about my life.  In my research I watched a documentary called The Stephen Fry Story: The Secret Life of the Manic Depressive (Click here to watch the 2 hour documentary ).  It’s a fascinating portrait of Bipolar Disorder.  It can help those of us who have it feel not so alone, and the people who love us understand us more.

Where Do You Fit In?

The greater general population travel down a standard ‘road’ in terms of their moods and personalities.  The bigger personalities often wander all over the road from side to side, but they are still within the borders of ‘normal’.  People with Bipolar Disorder go way beyond those boundaries on both sides of that road.  It is a very difficult life which can be dangerous in either direction.

Click HERE to read the full article

Thursday, May 1, 2014

The Truth About Following Rules

by Carley Cooper

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Whether or not we like it, our society has rules that we must follow.  There are the laws of our city, county, country, and the world.  We have to follow certain rules at work.  God’s Word has laws on how we are to live our life.  Even our own household generally has rules.  There’s no getting away from it.  If we don’t follow those rules there are consequences that will result. 

Click HERE to read the full article

Friday, April 25, 2014

Problem Solving 101

by Carley Cooper

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How many times have you had a problem and tried to solve it only to be disappointed?  What kinds of things did you try as a solution?  Did you turn to friends for advice?  Or, maybe you went to a family member, a doctor, or other authority. 

Giving Advice

A friend came to me for advice on a problem.  He told me all about it, and when he was done I didn’t have a solution for him.  I wasn’t sure what advice to give. 

So I said "The only thing I know to do is pray about it".

Click HERE to read the full article

Tuesday, April 22, 2014

Remission – Is it a Good Thing?

by Carley Cooper

Click to download this pic on FreeDigitalPhotos.net

I think one of the less talked about aspects of Bipolar Disorder is what happens when one is stable.  I mean we hear lots about both the depression side and the mania/hypomania side.  But, what about life as a stable person? Some call it remission. No depression and no mania.  Most people would think this is a non-issue. For the average person who doesn’t know BPD it isn’t an issue.

For those of us who only know living in extremes, it is unknown territory to be stable; to stay coloring inside the lines.  That’s where I’ve been for at least a year now.  It’s the first time I’ve been to this place for this long.  The strangest part is I’m not sure I like it.

Click HERE to read the full article

Saturday, April 19, 2014

Listen to the Doctor!

by Carley Cooper

Click to download this pic on FreeDigitalPhotos.net

About two years ago I had my worst Bipolar episode.  It lasted for six months, and I honestly didn’t think I was going to survive it.  My life was totally out of control.  It’s a typical trait that Bipolar Disorder patients have a hard time making and maintaining relationships.  I said things during this time to, and about, people that have damaged relationships beyond repair.

 

 

Click HERE to read the full article

Thursday, April 10, 2014

A Stolen Childhood: Eleanor’s Story

by Carley Cooper

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BOOK TITLE

A Stolen Childhood: Eleanor’s Story

AUTHOR

Patricia E. Day

MY REVIEW

A Stolen Childhood: Eleanor’s Story is about a woman struggling throughout her life to get past a childhood of living in an abusive home with an alcoholic father.  I fell in love with Eleanor almost instantly because right from the beginning I could relate to so much of what she felt and struggled with.

The story takes us through how damaging childhood abuse can be even well into adulthood.  Eleanor found it difficult to make friends or have healthy relationships.

Click HERE to read the full review

Monday, April 7, 2014

Are You Searching for God too?

by Carley Cooper

Click to download this pic on FreeDigitalPhotos.net

I was chatting, the other day, with a lady at church.  She was telling me a story about how she went to visit the ROM (Royal Ontario Museum, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada).  She went to see the exhibition called The Forbidden City: Inside the Court of China's Emperors.  She said it’s a fascinating display.  Maybe her reaction to it came from the fact that she is a Christian, but she came away from it being amazed at how obvious it is that mankind has always been searching for God.

Click HERE to read the full article

Tuesday, April 1, 2014

Who am I?

by Carley CooperClick to download this pic on FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Since I started going to the church I attend 4.5 yeas ago, I have learned, for the first time, exactly who I am.  Since then I have come to understand that I am royalty.  I am a daughter of the King; a child of the living God who created the universe.  See, according to God's Word, I am:

    What about you?  Do you know for sure who you are?
Let’s Pray

Dear God ~~ Wonderful, loving Father, even though it’s hard for us to see sometimes You created us to be Your royal children.  Please help me see myself the way you see me.  I pray in Jesus name, AMEN

Saturday, March 29, 2014

Changing Bipolar Disorder: Through Forgiveness

 

by Carley Cooper Link to this pic on FreeDigitalPhotos.net

This is the fourth article in, what’s turned out to be, a series on Changing Bipolar Disorder. If you haven’t read the first three they are:

  1. Changing Bipolar Disorder: Through Journaling

  2. Changing Bipolar Disorder: Through Food

  3. Changing Bipolar Disorder: Through Positive Thinking

Journaling has given me the tools I need to gather important information. Healthy food and exercise have helped improve the physical part of me. Positive Thinking helped to make my mind healthy. However, being whole and healthy involves 3 aspects; body, mind, and soul. If any one of those is unhealthy, the whole package is flawed.

Click HERE to read the full article

Wednesday, March 26, 2014

What My Dog’s Surgery Taught Me About God!

1 Corinthians 7:17 (MSG) ~~ And don’t be wishing you were someplace else or with someone else. Where you are right now is God’s place for you. Live and obey and love and believe right there. God, not your marital status, defines your life. Don’t think I’m being harder on you than on the others. I give this same counsel in all the churches.

by Carley Cooper1073060_10153021533870262_950206167_o

My dog had surgery this week, and it helped me re-learn an important message about faith. 

I have a shih-tzu dog named Maggie.  She will have her first birthday on April 6th.  I already have a special gift bought for the occasion.  She is my baby. 

Click HERE to read the full article

Thursday, March 20, 2014

International Day of Happiness?

Ecclesiastes 3:12-13 (ESV) ~~ I perceived that there is nothing better for them than to be joyful and to do good as long as they live; also that everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil—this is God's gift to man.

by Carley CooperClick to download this pic on FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Today, March 20th, is International Day of Happiness.  It’s also the first day of spring.  Hmmm, I wonder if there’s a connection there? 

The whole idea of a holiday about happiness really started me thinking ‘why do we need this day?’

Click HERE to read the full article

Monday, March 17, 2014

Changing Bipolar Disorder: Through Positive Thinking

Link to this pic on FreeDigitalPhotos.net

by Carley Cooper

This is the third article in, what’s turned out to be, a series on Changing Bipolar Disorder. If you haven’t read the first two they are:

  1. Changing Bipolar Disorder: Through Journaling

  2. Changing Bipolar Disorder: Through Food

Journaling has given me the tools I need to gather important information. Healthy food and exercise have helped improve the physical part of me. But what about my mind? Being whole and healthy involves 3 aspects; body, mind, and soul. If any one of those is unhealthy, the whole package is flawed.

Click HERE to read the full article

Friday, March 14, 2014

God’s Promises: About Serving Him

Colossians 3:23 (NIV) says "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.”


by Carley Cooper Click to download this pic on FreeDigitalPhotos.net

This winter has been long and very cold here in Canada.  Even though we are the land known as “The Great White North”, many will agree that we’ve had way more than our fair share of the white stuff this year.  Every time we think we have had the last storm, another one happens.  When will it come to an end?  Where’s summer?! 

Click HERE to read the full article

Saturday, March 8, 2014

International Women’s Day – We are One!

by Carley Cooper

Galatians 3:26-28 (NKJV) ~~ "For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.  For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.  There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.


International Women's Day 2014

Today is International Women’s Day.  Did you even know that?  Many people don’t even think about it.  Some don’t know about it.  Other’s just don’t care.  This is an important day because it helps bring awareness that women, when united; are strong, valuable, accomplished, and important.

Click HERE to read the full article

Wednesday, March 5, 2014

Changing Bipolar Disorder: Through Food

by Carley Cooper

Spinach Salad with Veggies & Chicken, and Green Tea

This is the second article in a series about Changing Bipolar Disorder.  The first was called “Changing Bipolar Disorder: Through Journaling”. 

Controlling our Bipolar Disorder is a full time job, even during the good times.  We have meds, psychotherapy, and other standard treatments.  However, have you considered food as a form of treatment?  I've discovered there are certain foods that help me keep the Bipolar roller coaster on the up side.

Click HERE to read the full article

Sunday, March 2, 2014

God’s Promises: About Grief

by Carley Cooper

Revelation 21:4 (NKJV) ~~ And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.


Link to this pic on FreeDigitalPhotos.net

One of the most difficult times of a person’s life is during times of grief. 

 

To read the whole post, click here

Friday, February 21, 2014

Changing Bipolar Disorder: Through Journaling

clip_image002In my first post on Breaking the Window, I mentioned that there was a time when my mental health was in rapid 
decline.  It was at this point when I realized that I had to change something before it was too late. But what? And, how? I didn’t know the answers. I needed some information. Though it’s no longer the case, at the time, I didn’t trust doctors. I felt that I had to do this on my own.

Thursday, February 20, 2014

20 Ways You Can Pass on Random Acts of Kindness

Link to this pic on Free Digital Photos
  1. Help out a little old lady in the grocery store when she can’t reach something on a higher shelf

  2. Snow blow your neighbour's driveway

  3. Give someone a ride somewhere so they don’t have to take a bus or a taxi; even if it’s out of your way

  4. Besides leaving a good tip, tell a waiter / waitress how well they did their job

  5. When you are shopping in the grocery store, and have extra coupons you don’t need, give them to other people who you see picking up those products

Click here to read the whole post

Tuesday, February 18, 2014

What if You Had 30 Days Left to Live?

What if you had only one month left to live? How would you live it? What legacy would you leave this world? Here's my thoughts on this subject.

Click here to read the whole post:

http://www.worshipmelodies.com/2014/02/what-if-you-had-30-days-left-to-live.html

Wednesday, February 12, 2014

Test Post

Tigger

 

This is a test post.

Thank you for understanding. 

Carley Cooper

Monday, February 10, 2014

You Can't Lose

My name is Carley. I’m very excited to launch Breaking the Window.  First, let me tell you a little bit about myself and my story. 
 

I’ve had a Rather Difficult Life, but I’ve Come Out the Other End Happy.

To read the whole post, click here:

http://www.breakingthewindow.com/2014/02/you-cant-lose.html

Sunday, February 9, 2014

New Website Launch

Photo Credit:  Paul Duarte Photography
I've just launched a new website called 
Breaking the Window - It's about helping to break stigma against mental illness and abuse; one window at a time.  Stigma hurts!  Every Time! 

The mission statement is:   
It is the mission of Breaking the Window to reach out to people in all areas of life to help, empower, inspire, and educate them in an effort to help break the stigma in the world surrounding Domestic Violence and Mental Health issues; and to help those suffering to build healthier, happier lives.  
I am welcoming guest authors to publish posts on this site that fall within the topics of our mission statement.  Check out the Guest Post Guidelines, and submit a post.  I'd love to hear from you!

The story behind the name 'Breaking the Window' is on the About Us page.  The website also has lots of resources listed for both Abuse and Mental Health issues.

Come and check it out!  Thank you.  

The website address is:

Thursday, February 6, 2014

How Do You Pay Others Back?

Remember those times when someone embarrassed you, made you angry, frustrated you, or caused road rage in you? Ever stop to wonder if this is how God wants you to react? Here's my latest blog post, and something you really need to consider when dealing with other people.

To read the whole post, click here:
http://www.worshipmelodies.com/2014/02/how-do-you-pay-others-back.html

Friday, January 31, 2014

Do You Use Holy Emotions?

Recently in an online forum that I take part in, a lady asked “What are holy emotions?”. It got me thinking. After some research this is what I came up with...

To read the whole post, click here:
http://www.worshipmelodies.com/2014/01/do-you-use-holy-emotions.html 

Saturday, January 25, 2014

Did You Hear the Latest News?!

Photo Credit: MS Office Copyright Free Images
Gossip! It’s wrong. It hurts people. God said not to do it. But, it’s SO much fun to do! Resisting it, for
a lot of people, means a big spiritual struggle inside. Some, even manage to justify it. Here's a struggle that I had recently. I wanted to respond to a situation I observed. What to do? What do you do in situations like these?


Click here to read the whole post:

www.worshipmelodies.com/2014/01/did-you-hear-latest-news.html

Monday, January 13, 2014

Whose Fault is It Really?

Sometimes in the midst of those storms it feels like you’re all alone trying to survive.  It’s during these times, our weakest moments, we start to wonder if God is even there.  Is He listening?  Did He forget about me?  Why am I going through this?  Did he fall asleep and leave me to fend for myself?  Ever feel like screaming “Wake up Lord!”?    

Click here to read the whole post...
http://www.worshipmelodies.com/2014/01/whose-fault-is-it-really.html  

Tuesday, January 7, 2014

What Quenches Your Thirst?


Are you truly happy... for the right reasons? What is it that will quench that thirst to make your life 'perfect'? Think about it. This is something that I've figured out recently. My latest blog post called "What Quenches Your Thirst?"

Click here to read the whole post...

www.worshipmelodies.com/2014/01/what-quenc
hes-your-thirst.html




Wednesday, January 1, 2014

2013 Year in Review

How did your year go in 2013? Did you have a good year, or a not so good year? Here's how mine went, and what I learned. Here's one of my latest blog posts called "2013 Year in Review"

Click here to read the whole post....

www.worshipmelodies.com/2014/01/2013-year-
in-review.html