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".

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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.

 

 

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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

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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.

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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