Dan - I'm in a growly mood so i'll keep it short. You're a good guy. No mania is not bad or good (depends on the person, place, thing and temperature). If you could consider the good times mania as part of your personality and real experiences that are yours (no one else's, and not belonging to bipolar's grip), it could help you accept the whole person that you are. We are all good and bad, light and dark, push and pull. Acceptance is not false, and it builds self-esteem. Today may suck but it will pass, and tomorrow there's a chance for it to be better.