Question of the Week: Most Powerful Books

The book that helped me most was one mentioned by John in one of his newsletters a couple of years back. I believe the author's last name was Frank from University of Pittsburg and it was about bipolar disorder. Although I thought her case studies were bummers she discussed triggers - my therapist had never specifically mentioned this to me. (I am fortunate to have only small crises at this point). She talks about the categories of triggers, and I was able to pinpoint what mine are.

Thanks, John.

Me again.  As a child, I was and still am, very influenced by the books of Thornton Burgess, who sought to give children (and adults) an appreciation of our natural world.  They are books about animals, where the animals are,admittedly,anthropomorphosed - Lightfoot the Deer, Peter Rabbit, et al. I also liked the Rabbit Hill Books of Robert Lawson.

As an adult I spend time in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina and enjoy hiking immensely. But I also enjoy sitting on the deck and just watching the wildlife in the yard. This environment is a constant source of soul renewal for me.

Most recently I was inspired by The Last Lecture, and The Memory Keepers Daughter.  But regarding bi-polar and depression, I read the Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath, Kay Jamison's book and am now getting a lot of help from The Bi-Polar Disorder Survival Guide.  I find the Survival Guide very helpful in explaining symptoms, the disorder in general, and putting feelings into words so I can better work with my doctors.  It also gives you tools to help yourself in dealing with your disorder if you are so inclined.  I kept a journal for a while but I felt like I was constantly focusing on bi-polar. 

Somewhere I read it was called the "Bible" for Bipolars:  "An Unquiet Mind"  by Key Redfield Jaminson.  As a professional it helped me make sense of my illness.

"Lincoln's Melancholy" by Joshua Wolf Shenk. The book alone says enough.

"A Beautiful Mind" by Sylvia Nasar.  Cried through the book AND the movie.

"But Inside I am Screaming" by Elizabeth Flock.  I connected to the character like she was my sister.

"Fly Me to the Moon" by H.E. Logue.  Weaves the poles of the bipolar illness through a story that could be anyone of us.

"The Scarlett Letter" by Nathaniel Hawthorne.  Read in highschool and college, then after diagnosis.  My letter was a "M" for maniac. 

Lizzie

http://bipolarjourney.com

The Bible.  It really has changed my life, saved my life, and made me whole.  At first I thought it was just about going to heaven, but then I found out it is all about being transformed into the image of Christ Romans 12:1-2.  However, as God draws us closer, we also learn we will never be perfect - not till we see Him face to face  1 Cor. 13:12, and 1 John 3:2.  So my hope is in the future - the not yet, but it is also in the NOW. 

Every time I suffer, I think of Romans 5:2-5 "And not only that, but we also rejoice in our afflictions,  because we know that affliction produces endurance,  ⁴ endurance produces proven character,  and proven character produces hope. ⁵ This hope does not disappoint,  because God's love has been poured out in our hearts  through the Holy Spirit who was given to us." 

Yesterday it was really hard to focus on rejoicing because my life was rotten, so I was developing character.  But God brought a new friend into my life, and I think we both helped each other. I don't think she was a Christian, but she had a wonderful, giving heart.  Life just isn't perfect. I hate being bipolar, I would rather suffer the pain and deformities of my Rheumatoid Arthritis, than admit to being such an imperfect being, so lacking in character - with a temper, too.  But God says "I know - you are all imperfect, that is why I sent my Son."  I love the Psalms best of all.  King David, the man after God's own heart says in Psalm 42:11  Why am I so depressed?  Why this turmoil within me?  Put your hope in God, for I will still praise Him, my Savior and my God."  Hey, we all have down times. I love the part where David dances naked when they return the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem.  I really wonder if he wasn't bipolar, too. 

And Psalm 51:10 says "Create in me a clean heart, oh God, and renew a right spirit within me."  Hey, that was David after he committed adultery with Bathsheba.  There is no suffering  or sin that is not common to humanity, but God really and truly loves us all, and He will give us help in times of distress, and life and joy abundantly, in spite of and sometimes because of our illnesses.  The Bible helped me forgive those who hurt me and wronged me, and keeps me from going back there and digging around in the garbage dump of my life.  It challenges me to develop the fruits of the Spirit in my life. Gal. 5:22-23 "But the fruit of the Spirit  is love, joy,  peace, patience,  kindness, goodness, faith,  ²³ gentleness, self-control.  Against such things there is no law.

Besides the world's all time best seller, a psychologist saved my marriage by giving my husband a book on "Living with a bipolar person."  It helped hubby understand that I wasn't out to get him, but that I had some symptoms of a mental disease. I forget who wrote it, but if anyone wants it - I will search it out and find the whole title and authors.

Sorry for preaching. If it wasn't for God, I would be long gone. I only wish people knew the real story about the Bible. It isn't a book for self-righteous, legalistic people, who never suffer, and lead a perfect life. It is real life, with real answers and true joy from the Creator of the Universe through a relationship with Jesus.  That's my story, and I'm sticking to it.

Angie