Comments on Wellness Writer: Positive Emotions

So nicely said Katie! You're welcome.Susan

2008-07-03T11:54:00.000-07:00

So nicely said Katie! You're welcome.

Susan

remembering to search for the good in the midst of...

2008-07-03T11:11:00.000-07:00

remembering to search for the good in the midst of the hard, traumatic or trying situations is part of living fully. the flower blooms whether we are happy or sad - being able to 'drop everything' and be in the moment to appreciate the good and the beauty, and then be able to sincerely have it in my heart to write about, is the most powerful way i can help myself stay on track. Thank you for

Dear Deb,Isn't that true for all of us?Susan

2008-07-02T18:36:00.000-07:00

Dear Deb,
Isn't that true for all of us?

Susan

I always feel better when I hold positive thoughts...

2008-07-02T17:28:00.000-07:00

I always feel better when I hold positive thoughts.

Marja,I agree. I think there will always be people...

2008-07-02T17:00:00.000-07:00

Marja,
I agree. I think there will always be people who are offended when we take a slightly different viewpoint. But I'm a big fan of yours!

Susan

Gianna,I turned that book into Bipolar Depression ...

2008-07-02T16:59:00.000-07:00

Gianna,
I turned that book into Bipolar Depression Unplugged: A Survivor Speaks Out, and took out the amusing stuff. Now I'm writing about wellness and have moved on. But you're right...it's a different time and it would probably find a publisher now.

Susan

Annie,Yes, it's something to think about. I think ...

2008-07-02T16:58:00.000-07:00

Annie,
Yes, it's something to think about. I think I deal with it in a post so we can continue discussing it. Thanks for bringing it up.

Susan

I believe very much in looking at the positive in ...

2008-07-02T16:26:00.000-07:00

I believe very much in looking at the positive in the bad and most of my writing is from that point of view. That accounts to a large degree for how well I'm doing. I'm sure of it.

I caused a bit of trouble when I wrote an article a while ago that started off by saying: "Mental illness isn't all bad..." I go on to say how I wouldn't ask for it or wish it on anyone, yet I could not have

Susan, I gave this post a lot of thought. I know w...

2008-07-02T13:44:00.000-07:00

Susan, I gave this post a lot of thought. I know what your mean about searching for the positive, even in times of sadness. In my experience with others sometimes that can be at a very slow pace and the person may remain sad or mad for some time before being in a place to find the positive. When I have been with someone who has a profound trauma or loss there is value in them having permission to

Susan I think that the climate around mental healt...

2008-07-02T08:52:00.000-07:00

Susan I think that the climate around mental health has changed so much in the last 10 years that irreverent and/or not "sad" looks at mental health might be considered by the right publisher....

Jazz,I, too, like the place I am now, and I, too, ...

2008-07-02T08:50:00.000-07:00

Jazz,
I, too, like the place I am now, and I, too, realize that I could never have gotten here without all the pain and suffering.

And you're so right; I'd never want to relive it again.

But somehow I knew that if I focused on the pain and suffering rather than on seeking wellness, I would never get well.

Susan

Gianna,I, too, believe in "healthy anger." And tha...

2008-07-02T08:46:00.000-07:00

Gianna,
I, too, believe in "healthy anger." And that's how I survived when I was so sick. But what was interesting was that no publisher would publisher my original book, which I called Honk If You're on Lithium, because it wasn't "sad enough" for a bipolar book.

Yet, somehow I instinctively knew that dwelling on the negative wouldn't heal me.

Susan

Susan--I think being able to write about stress an...

2008-07-02T07:38:00.000-07:00

Susan--
I think being able to write about stress and trauma in a positive way is a good thing--but it is difficult to do while you're in the middle of it. This is something that comes later, after you've had a chance to process it all. There are periods of my life that were just awful, and I would never want to re-live...but I would be lying if I said I hadn't gained wisdom and insight from

I have made enemies in the blogosphere because I r...

2008-07-02T06:56:00.000-07:00

I have made enemies in the blogosphere because I refuse to me full of hateful bitterness. That's not to say I don't deal with some healthy anger as a result of the care I've received.

I fully believe in the power of love to heal!! And with love comes joy, and warmth and all the other positive emotions.

I wrote a post today about my new doc. She is filled with these positive