Value

What is our advantage, the BP "value proposition", our "unique selling point"? What do we bring to the table; how does society benefit from us being us, being different in our own unique way?

And how do you, or would you (ideally), make the most of the opportunities this creates?

Do you take BP into consideration when planning for the future or choosing between opportunities? To what extent; is it an important factor in choosing what to do and what not to do?

Looking back, I have found myself to be quite creative and willing step out and try so much when I have been hypomanic. I found myself embracing that characteristic more before I was diagnosed. I know now that I gained my masters degree while riding on quite a bit of Hypomania. In the last few years, I have been unable to control my thinking. It eventually turns into head noise, so it's not as useful. These days, I tend to shy away from committing to much outside of work and being a mom. I'm just afraid that things will fall apart on me. I'd like to get back to that place of being able to use my creativity and boldness to step out and try new things.

I've always been sensitive and caring but before I became sick I was very involved in meeting the goals I had mapped out for myself. I reached them all but 1....a 2nd child because by that time I was too sick.

I'd like to think that what I have to offer is a listening ear, a shoulder to lean on, empathy, caring and kindness. These might not be so obvious if I was chasing further goals. The world needs more good people. I hope I am one.

Best wishes.

interesting question.

my "affliction" (currently labeled "Bipolar I," now and then labeled 'Schizophrenia'...) has made me, for this season of my life, unable to work. part "illness," part stigma, part...well, "its the economy, stupid."

my value? I'm a Christian. Not conservative, but fairly traditional in terms of doctrine, overall. Every human life has value, inherent worth. We are all created in God's image, from the wealthiest and most intelligent down to the poorest and those incapable of caring for themselves, much less of "keeping up" in a hyper-competitive, hyper-individualistic society.

I have value because I am a human being, created in God's image. I sometimes think God uses me, and people like me, to remind people that life has meaning and purpose outside of one's function in the economy.

Since Dx I'd have to admit at times I question my value as an employee. I function fine in my current role and fortunately can take time off no questions asked when needed. But I limit myself and do not think I could pursue a change of any kind for fear of what if I went totally down hill again how would that be accommodated.

Our selling point...I like to think we're less judgmental of others and the world certainly needs more people like that.

A selling point for BP? I guess we know our moods better. Most people nowadays are stuck on this "be positive and productive all the time" crap and have forgotten how to really feel until they break down.

That's an interesting answer.

I believe BP (or SZ; my "affliction" is schizoaffective disorder; the original psychotic disorders; less so BP2) brings us closer to God, like the prophets. We aren't ever completely mad, completely wrong. We make rather trivial mistakes. For example, when someone is hospitalised for professing to be the second coming of Jesus Christ, he isn't completely wrong and arguably (just) in essence he would be right.

We don't see reality as it is now, we see it's potential. We see compositions, harmony and disharmony, right from wrong, the emotional, the love, the hate, the anxiety, fear and anger, the whole of it and its dynamics.

Creativity as the force behind the Creation.

Of course, being human and bound by the reality we find ourselves in, that's untenable: like Icarus we fall and we find ourselves in a rigid, inhospitable, bleak reality, a reality in the narrowest sense possible. It's a gift that doesn't come cheaply.

A real prophet knows how to translate our view of reality, in its purest essence, to the here and now, to unravel the Truth in what we know, to know the next step and to lead the way.

A real artist creates a view, a sense, of reality in its essence, what's important, what's beautiful, worthy and harmonious and what is not.

Someone who falls from such grace to such depths will know the soul of man, every strength and every frailty. We can relate. We can teach. Be a guide.

It might be that it doesn't matter what we do, but how we do it. It's about how life can be, should be and may be considered, not what others think life is all about, because we've really seen it all.

But we can still choose our immediate reality, our environment, one that allows us to imagine and experiment. One that requires you to take risks, not avoid them. That's at least what I try to find.

But ironically, consequently, there are too many options and too little time to try them all.