Perception

Here's a perception I feel right now: This is the place I feel safe on this site. Too much craziness elsewhere. I keep stepping in it, no matter where I go. I'm getting wacked left and right out there. I think I'll just stick to here for a while. I'm "safe" here with "my ppl", lol. Thanks for being so great to me all my fellow bp's. I guess it really does take one to know one. But then again, perhaps tomorrow I'll "feel" differently. TgrsPurr. xo.

When one is ailing the pack will surround and protect you, little tiger
Angie

LOL, that reply tickles me Ang! I don't know how you do it, but you always manage to find just the right thing to say. Love you. TgrsPurr. xo

sqrl, I'd like to hear further thoughts from you about perception. Not just "our" own perceptions as this thread has turned into, but "others" perception of those of us with bp. On all levels. How seriously are we taken when cycling. Others using our bp against us. Pity, sympathy, doubt, frusteration, whatever comes to mind. LOL. TgrsPurr. xo.

The way I see it, others' perceptions of me in relation to bipolar, are neither more nor less flawed because of it. My experience of people for the most part is that their perceptions begin in the effort to bend all incoming "information" to fit in their preconceived notions. Bipolar, if someone knows, just becomes the easiest hand hold for someone to grab onto to begin that bending.

I'm thinking this response may seem like an oversimplification, and I suppose it is. But so too is the idea that we can truly perceive eachother with certainty. But for me, it does come down to an idea that once MINDFULNESS is brought to bear on one's bipolar condition, then we become actually improved in our perception of perception. We are made aware of the pitfalls in a way that someone who never had their brain chemistry betray them can be. For me the lesson is to hold certainty in the hands of uncertainty. lol. You had to ask. lol.

People in general, perceive according to an agenda of maintaining their own status quo. Bipolar or not, people are perceiving you in the way that supports what they already think.

How we doin? xo.

MINDFULNESS! Yes! That's it! That's what I couldn't come up with on my own...Bingo! An Ah-Ha! moment. Synapses are firing left and right. I'm connecting some dots. Okay, lol, I think you all get the point. Forgive me, but this is very exciting for me. LOL. Improved in our perception of "perception". Very good point sqrl. I understand this in the context of MINDFULNESS. No there is no certainty in perception, the very word connotates that it is variable to each individual, their illness, those around us who have this illness.
I see that I must be more mindful of myself. More mindful of my impact on others. Though you are so right, ppl will perceive in the context of what makes them most "comfortable", to fit into their ideals. Healthy or not. But ultimately, the truth of what I'm getting at in all this, what others think is beyond my control, no matter how "sane" or "insane" I might be at any given moment, cycling or not.
Okay, I'm babbling now. I will think about this some more.
Thanks sqrl. I just knew I could count on you to help me "bring it home". LOL. TgrsPurr. xo

Ya knowTgrsPurr, that bushy tail sure knows how to explain things so even I understand, and thats going some I can be real dense sometimes. Glad your havin a better day
Ang

Good Mornin' Ang. I'm coming to rely on hearing from you in the morning. It's an excellent way for me to start my day.

Yes, sqrl certainly does know how to articulate very well, most of the time anyway. Sometimes, whoosh, right over my head, but I never hesitate to ask for a clarification and he can boil it down for me, lol. I, too, can be pretty dense at times. Well, I don't know that it's so much dense as it is stuck in my perception or my normal way or habitual way of "seeing" things. I'm not always good at expanding my though processes and need a gentle reminder that sqrl always, always, always gives. I'm very fortunate to have the friendship that I do with him.

I love you ang. I'm equally fortunate to have you. I love your loving disposition and gentle manner. I'm learning a great deal from you too on being more sweet with my posts. I can be a little rough around the edges at times, or even overly excited about something or someone and it comes out all goopy. lol.

thanx again for getting my day off to a great start. TgrsPurr. xo

it's pretty quit here this morning, not a lot of posting
Ang

Oh, I'm just getting started! But have a lot of work to do too. Plus, boss is in close proximity today, don't want to get caught philosophizing on company time, lol. Did I make up yet another word? Philosophizing? I love it.
TgrsPurr. xo

Well, if mindfulness is turning your crank, you will enjoy looking at the DBT material; it is all about mindfulness. There is a ton of information including course material on it on this site, if you go to the top bar and click on resource directory probably. (I found it by googling 'dbt' and spotted a PC hit, and clicked on it there.)

DBT is Dialectical Behavioral Therapy. It was developed specifically for Borderline personality disorder and is divided into two parts. The first part is recovering, with meds if neccessary, from self injury, and the second is mindfulness training.

The beauty of it is that it is a distillation of all the wisdom of the eastern type notion of mindfulness as in through meditation. But, it has been scoured free of any spiritual language and rendered clinical, and clear. Take a look. See if it's a fit?

You are a delight.

I'll check it out when I get home this evening, that way I can give it due attn. LOL. I'm buzzing big time here at work right now. My fingers can't move bloody fast enough across the freakin' key board. LOL. Like it doesn't show Tgr???!!!! xo