The Fluid Dynamics of “The Starry Night”: How Vincent Van Gogh’s Masterpiece Explains the Scientific Mysteries of Movement and Light [EDITOR'S NOTE: My life experiences have led me to firmly believe that suffering and tragic circumstances often give birth to strength, meaning, and/or some sort of benefit. Which is why I created my blog, https://bipolarisbeautiful.com/. … Continue reading The Fluid Dynamics of “The Starry Night”: How Vincent Van Gogh’s Masterpiece Explains the Scientific Mysteries of Movement and Light →

[There are approximately 553,000 people in the US who are homeless. 35% are addicted to substances or behaviors, 20-25% have mental illness, and 6% have a severe mental illness. (For the sake of full disclosure, I have a severe mental illness and two addictions. I have been blessed in many ways and though my misadventures … Continue reading They are worthy of respect, dignity, compassion, and any assistance we, as a society of ethical human beings, can offer them, the most vulnerable among us. →

THE NEW YORK TIMES THE NEW HEALTH CARE Alcoholics Anonymous vs. Other Approaches: The Evidence Is Now In An updated review shows it performs better than some other common treatments and is less expensive. [While AA isn't for everyone, isn't a panacea, and is one of a number of effective modalities of recovery, I am … Continue reading Alcoholics Anonymous vs. Other Approaches: The Evidence Is Now In An updated review shows it performs better than some other common treatments and is less expensive. →

Of Internet Trolls, Their Toxic Behavior, and Ultimately Regarding Them as Nothing More Than Inconsequential Members of a Virtual Peanut Gallery The article below is dated, but definitely worth revisiting. Particularly in this current viscous social climate engendered by the cruel people in positions of power who have taken a toll on the mental health … Continue reading →

Addictions as Gods "Step Three completes the surrender initiated in Step One. In that Step we acknowledge the ways we are powerless over substances; in this Step we seek out and commit ourselves to accepting a spiritual power. We move from trying to cope with the world through manipulating our consciousness with gross physical intoxication … Continue reading →

We are all winners of a lottery with incredibly steep odds just by virtue of the fact that we exist. While cultivating an attitude of gratitude for this blessing, and many others that are part and parcel of our daily lives, has been a crucial aspect of my recovery/stability/sobriety, and has lifted me out of … Continue reading FORTUNATE TO BE ALIVE →

Intrusive Thoughts: Splinters in One's Psyche For what seemed an eternity (in reality it was "only" about 21 years), intrusive thoughts consistently attacked me with the ferocity of a pack of hungry wolves preying upon a defenseless herd of deer. My young Bipolar mind was plagued by them a good third to half of the … Continue reading Intrusive Thoughts: Splinters in One’s Psyche →

TRUE BELONGING Like many people, I wasted years "fitting in." Ignoring not only my authentic self, I also denied my Bipolar Disorder and dual Addiction. Eviscerating myself spiritually, and torturing myself psychologically, I put myself through painful and self injurious social gymnastics to "be" the person I was "supposed to be" in order to fit … Continue reading TRUE BELONGING →

You are not worth less. Act accordingly! Our society teaches us to compare, compete, judge, and qualify people based on material, physical, and external circumstances, conditions, abilities, and appearances. And some of us have these soul-mutilating beliefs stitched deeply into the fabric of our being by a shame-based family of origin. These pernicious lies inform … Continue reading You are not worth less. Act accordingly! →

Social Anxiety is Emotional Hell. Once embroiled in this excruciating state of abject terror that I would fail, experience rejection, be mocked and judged, and lose the capacity to function in public altogether, shame and fear gripped me like a vise and infused my entire being -rendering me nearly paralyzed, and most certainly crippled. With … Continue reading →