I don't live like I have an illness.

I don't see it as a weakness.

I have weak moments, but they don't define me.

I live in the present and don't worry about the things I can't control and can't change.

I will be moody sometimes, I will cry, I will be irritated, I will hurt others...

But I will love, I will care, I can apologize for my actions and I will continually seek out solutions.

I'm human. My emotions are more extreme, and I hurt more because of my sensitivity. However, NOTHING I feel is discounted and I NEVER ask if my feelings are valid because they ALWAYS are. My feelings are NEVER "bipolar" feelings. They are MY feelings.

It's actually a pet peeve of mine when I am on the boards and I see a person questioning whether or not their perceived reality is valid or if it is the illness. So what if it's the illness? There is no time in this short life to try and pinpoint what "is" you and "isn't". If you went through a manic phase, all those feelings are real and should be embraced for what they are. Don't devalue your experience.