Comments on Wellness Writer: Wanting Wellness

Dear Gary,Welcome to my blog. Yes, I believe that ...

2008-07-07T11:25:00.000-07:00

Dear Gary,
Welcome to my blog. Yes, I believe that once a person reaches a certain level of health, he/she can seek wellness. When you're so sick, it's difficult enough just to survive.

Susan

Susan,I agree. Most people don't consider happines...

2008-07-07T10:16:00.000-07:00

Susan,

I agree. Most people don't consider happiness a valid goal. Some think its naive or selfish.

As a person with bipolar, I have often been consumed by the disease. Now I am healthy enough to want wellness.

Gary,

Dear Kara,Welcome to my blog. I agree about patien...

2008-07-02T18:38:00.000-07:00

Dear Kara,
Welcome to my blog. I agree about patience. I worked hard, but waited a long time to finally get well. Good luck on Monday!

Susan

Hi Susan.I just recently stumbled across your blog...

2008-07-02T18:06:00.000-07:00

Hi Susan.

I just recently stumbled across your blog and am glad for the good find. In wanting wellness, I agree but I also am learning that patience must be mixed in with that want, that desire. It seems it takes a bit for wellness and health to line up. I'm in the process of waiting now! I begin ECT Monday.

Nice piece of writing. Thanks.

Kara

Dear KJ,Thank you. I appreciate it!Susan

2008-07-01T07:18:00.000-07:00

Dear KJ,
Thank you. I appreciate it!

Susan

This was a great post and relevant for anyone who ...

2008-06-30T22:49:00.000-07:00

This was a great post and relevant for anyone who needs to work at helping themselves in any realm of their life. Thank you for this.

I believe wholeheartedly in what you said here Sus...

2008-06-30T16:19:00.000-07:00

I believe wholeheartedly in what you said here Susan. They are things I try to help other see as well. But how do you tell someone who you're supporting that she needs to work harder at improving her life? How do you tell her that without coming across as judgmental? And how do you know whether she's simply not able to work harder at it than she is? How do you keep encouraging a person to do

Dear Annie,You're welcome. Of course, I know from ...

2008-06-30T16:06:00.000-07:00

Dear Annie,
You're welcome. Of course, I know from reading your blog that you lost a partner of many years, and I have tremendous empathy for you. The fact that even grief hasn't stopped you from moving forward should be inspiring to many as well!

Susan

Meredith,Isn't it amazing when you're sure a great...

2008-06-30T16:04:00.000-07:00

Meredith,
Isn't it amazing when you're sure a great role model that someone sees you "conquer" this illness, and yet continues to live with life without making a single change?

I've got people like that in my life, and it's exhausting and exhausting, and yet they're clueless.

Susan

Dear Painkiller-sideeffects,Welcome to my blog. Ye...

2008-06-30T16:02:00.000-07:00

Dear Painkiller-sideeffects,
Welcome to my blog. Yes, I believe that the only way to achieve wellness is through "doing" not "talking."

Personally, I'm getting so tired about reading about people who endlessly repeat the same patterns--and have developed no insight--that I felt compelled to write this.

Susan

Susan, I also agree with you about the "can do" ph...

2008-06-30T15:34:00.000-07:00

Susan, I also agree with you about the "can do" philosophy. It seems so clear to me now that I need to exercise, be with friends and take care in general. I also know that there was a time when I could only hold on to my chair and let the grieving part of depression pass. I think some people don't even know what it is like to take care of the self. I hope that many of them read your ideas so they

One of my best friends is also bipolar and she ref...

2008-06-30T12:52:00.000-07:00

One of my best friends is also bipolar and she refuses to change anything about her lifestyle, including heavy drinking. In fact, she's on medication that isn't working for her (in a bad, bad way) and she won't even tell her doc (she lies and says she's feeling great even though her mood swings are severe and dangerous) because she "doesn't want things to get worse" on a new one. Hello, what

Susan - thanks for having the courage to tell it l...

2008-06-30T12:14:00.000-07:00

Susan - thanks for having the courage to tell it like it is. Bradley's comment was right on the money in my opinion. Like recovery from alcohol, I have to want wellness and be "willing to go to any lengths to get it." Then it's all about action - part of that action may be to take medication, but not all of it. I have to take responsibility for my own wellness.

Mariposa,I, too, believe in visualization and posi...

2008-06-30T11:21:00.000-07:00

Mariposa,
I, too, believe in visualization and positive thinking! Why did I know that you do too?

Susan

Jazz,It's always difficult with a family member wh...

2008-06-30T11:17:00.000-07:00

Jazz,
It's always difficult with a family member who won't help himself! Too bad he doesn't use you as a role model!

Susan

Dear Bradley,Thanks for your candor. I don't know ...

2008-06-30T11:16:00.000-07:00

Dear Bradley,
Thanks for your candor. I don't know anything about addiction, but I appreciate your input. And I do see similarities in the way you describe it.

Susan

And thank you Mary! It sounds like you've got a ve...

2008-06-30T11:15:00.000-07:00

And thank you Mary! It sounds like you've got a very good doctor, and that you're always trying. That's the most anyone can ask--is that we never give up trying!

Susan

Dear Gianna,Thanks for your insightful comment! I ...

2008-06-30T11:14:00.000-07:00

Dear Gianna,
Thanks for your insightful comment! I fully agree. I don't even read the negative blogs anymore. I've been as sick as anyone I know, but I was never a victim.

And it's not uplifting to read about people who complain constantly, but never actively do anything to achieve wellness.

Susan

Dear Chica,That's true as well, and an important p...

2008-06-30T11:12:00.001-07:00

Dear Chica,
That's true as well, and an important point!

Susan

Thanks Danielle!

2008-06-30T11:12:00.000-07:00

Thanks Danielle!

So so true! I get by because I wanted to and I bel...

2008-06-30T10:44:00.000-07:00

So so true! I get by because I wanted to and I believe in the of visualization and suggestion to be powerful! So I visualize nothing but myself living a normal life...because whatever we visualize we attract...

Well said, Susan!I have felt that frustration ("Wh...

2008-06-30T08:41:00.000-07:00

Well said, Susan!
I have felt that frustration ("What are you doing besides taking medications?")when dealing with my brother, who has been on antidepressants on and off for most of his adult life. He complains about the depressions, but he is not willing to make lifestyle changes that might make a difference for him.

When I first read the post I thought "Ouch, that's...

2008-06-30T08:10:00.000-07:00

When I first read the post I thought "Ouch, that's harsh", but then I gave it more thought. I'm one of those that believes that major depression is a biochemical disease but as a recovering alcoholic I believe that alcoholism is as well.

While alcoholism is a disease, IMO, that doesn't mean that a drunk can't take certain "steps" to help their recovery. I now see depression as very

Susan: How very true, my therapist always asks me...

2008-06-30T07:34:00.000-07:00

Susan: How very true, my therapist always asks me many of these questions, and I do try my hardest to do some of them whether its walking the dogs, or keeping myself busy. At times I find it so hard to do, and therefore can't do any of them. But writing on my blog is good therapy for me, and hopefully will help with the pain, and help me through this rough time..thanks..Mary

wonderful post!Sometimes it seems to me people glo...

2008-06-30T07:21:00.000-07:00

wonderful post!
Sometimes it seems to me people glorify in their label and become attached to them in a very unhealthy way. I can't even read those blogs. I find them painful.

There is so much within our control. There are so many steps and processes we can choose to move towards wellness.

That doesn't mean we always feel like we can get better in a palpable way in any given