I believe we are spiritual beings having an earthly experience. We are born into human forms to evolve and grow as eternal spiritual beings into the likeness of our Creator. Our time on earth is human form is very short compared to our time in eternity in spirit form. Our time(s) on earth is to teach us about love and humanity. We are gifted to think, feel and act so that we might gain wisdom and understanding and give blessings to one another that are ever lasting. That's how I interpret and understand the religious and spiritual teachings I have been exposed to in my life. That's how I've come to understand the journey's and teachings of the prophets and the believers whose stories have been recorded in holy books and oral records for generations.

I do believe that people born of this earth of the spirit of the Great Spirit have been gifted with the capacity to achieve spiritual healing over any physical or mental affliction. The body may break down. It may become diseased physically and mentally but the spirit can thrive. The spirit is attended to when the body or mind breaks down. It may in fact be the physical affliction that enables the spirit to grow. Enables the essense of a person's soul to blossom. Who can't recall blessings known only through suffering? Childbirth to name just one. Love to name another --- what a double edged sword.

I think the word 'cure' is a distraction when we talk about mental illness. Because the challenge is rooted in the brain chemistry it requires a holistic treatment plan that includes the mind, body and spirit. It can't be isolated like a cancer. It can't be tracked like blood sugar levels. Mental illness is reactionary by nature. Emotions are not just affected by a medical condition or a side effect of medications but emotional imbalance is the core issue with mental illness. It requires a different approach. It's requires more spirit involvement.

I take meds to stablize my thyroid levels but I don't take meds to stablize my moods and nutralize my depressions. For various reasons I'm not drug compatable so I heavily rely on prayer, meditation, exercise and a battery of coping skills to carry me through each day. Some days are easy and some days are hard. Coming through the hard days are the most rewarding even if they are the most painful. The more I practise the better I get and the shorter the times of really bad I have to endure.

I guess that would be my cure. To have mastered coping with the effects of BP and other issues to the point that I don't experience the battle with the extremes so much anymore. To have learned enough to be able to steer myself before I trip the switch that sets my negative thinking and feeling into full spiral action. I believe that in time and with continued effort I can be 'cured' in the sense that I can function as myself consistently without all these timeouts for a breakdown. I can be led by my spirit more than I am now led by my mind. That is my goal and my definition of 'cured'.

Peace be with you......