are there any success stories?

That topic about "success" in recovery....

That's a tough one isn't it?

I think part of my answer to you is in a letter I wrote to another member of the forum:

http://www.mdjunction.com/forums/bipolar-support-forums/ general-support/12380-anxiety-and-anxiety

A lot of my standards for my own success are based on my unique experience, so maybe they just don't apply to you or others.

I measure my success, not by comparing myself to others; but I measure my success with moments of happiness which I did not have before. I measure my success by the feeling of peace which sometimes settles on my troubled mind. I measure success by my growing circle of friends.

If I have avoided my rage today, I am a success.

If I have made someone's life a little better, easier, more comfortable today (unspoken kindness), I am a success.

If the "the feeling in my stomach" (my friend calls it my "belly-o-meter") is quiet and good, I am a success.

If I had one moment today during which I did not worry about the future, I am a success.

If I have hope and faith and willingness today that things can change for the better, I am a success.

If I have not complained today about my pain, I am a success.

If today I have seen a universe of possibilities, rather than a universe of barriers, I am a success.

If I faced an obstacle in my life today by willingly accepting the help of another person, I am a success.

If I have learned that any of the above may apply to my life at any given moment, that my life need not be perfect in every way for me to be happy--if I have learned to accept progress rather than perfection, I am a success.

If I find myself "on the inside looking out", slowly solving my problems instead of languishing in my pain, I am a success.

Do you get the drift here? ...and couldn't you yourself add even more to the list!?

Isn't it my thinking that's causing my problems?

Could I possibly, with help, learn to change my thinking? Could it be that my success depends on my state of mind?

As I said, you've chosen a tough subject, and nobody's "beating down the door" to respond to it...!

It just shows me that I really need somehow to get past the negative thinking, so that I can recognize my success.

What I have shared with you, rrpurdue, is not my opinion, but it IS my experience.

What do YOU think!? ...REALLY think about success?

Thanks!

Jim

Post edited by: JR1, at: 11/04/2007 12:07

But, I know I am successful when I don't pick fights with my husband, when I am even-mooded for more than a day, when I share loving times with my family. Then I hold on to these memories for the days when I am not so OK or am being paranoid about my husband.

My point is that there are success stories and success moments...it's not all bad. Hang in there! We are here for you...bad days and good ones.

Peace, peach

All of life is made up of moments. A moment here alone, a moment her with a friend, and moment driving the car, and so on. When we live healthy in any one of these moments we've achieved success. String that little bead together with the rest and you will have success in many ways which are usually overlooked. The same applies in relationships gather the jewels together. Work in the rough spots and overcome the problems that come from that particular time and lay it to rest with your friend, partner or whomever you've had a tough time with.

Hope to hear more from you. You are a good poster on this forum.

MsBimbo

good luck to you.