A conversation that will carry me through difficult days & hopefully be an inspiration for so many others…I am so GRATEFUL. team THRIVE a team of people coming together to thrive with bipolar disorder.

in team THRIVE - OUR GRATITUDE by Robin Mohilner June 14, 2011 0 comments

This conversation is a true gift to me and will motivate me during difficult days in my work.

I am so grateful.

This conversation took place on my Facebook page called “Thrive With Bipolar Disorder”

Kelly Quinn: Hi Robin. I just wanted to share something with you and your team members. I have decided to take back control of my life….I am going to the police with the name of the man that molested me repeatedly when I was just 10 years old. I am done with being a prisoner inside my own head because of what he did to me. My past affects my present relationships and choices, and as said on an episode of Oprah, He killed the person that I could have been. I am going to post my progress on my page, Memoirs of a Mood Disorder, in the hopes of inspiring others to speak out. It has taken me 23 years to get the courage to do this. I think I am finally ready to put this to rest. xx

Thrive With Bipolar Disorder: I am soooooo proud of you Kelly!

Thrive With Bipolar Disorder: AND I want you to know that you are just as much a part of “team THRIVE” as the rest of the 128 of us! 😉

YOU BELONG HERE. Your voice matters here.

Kelly Quinn: thank you Robin. Its nice to feel a part of something that I believe does genuine good. You do a terrific job of inspiring me….I am hopefully going back to Uni next year here in Australia to become a psychologist. I was worried that my Bipolar and PTSD would get in the way….you have shown me that it is only our distorted thought process that gets in the way. i will thrive. I will achive my goals. i will control my illness and not let it control me. Thank you for helping me to believe in myself again xxx

Thrive With Bipolar Disorder: Wow…I am so deeply touched. I would be honored to have you as a colleague. I am happy to talk with you about the journey anytime.

Kelly Quinn: big thanks 🙂 ♥♥

Thrive With Bipolar Disorder: You will thrive, Kelly. You will achieve your goals. I am so grateful to be a light in your life.

Thrive With Bipolar Disorder: xx ♥ xx and I’m happy teary…

Kelly Quinn: and you have been a big light too….it has only been since being a part of this page, and reading your blog that I have really decided to take control. I thought I was controlling my illness with medication, therapy, exercise, routine etc but it takes more than that. You have shown me that I can rise above it all….even though I know it will be a long and bumpy road, I will not give up the fight!

Kelly Quinn: xxx

Thrive With Bipolar Disorder: Wow. I am speechless.

Kelly Quinn: You, Robin, are our inspiration to THRIVE ♥

Thrive With Bipolar Disorder: Thank you sooooo much Kelly for sharing this with me. It is so incredibly fulfilling.

Kelly Quinn: it is my pleasure, and thank YOU. xxx

Thrive With Bipolar Disorder: I want you to know that I am keeping this conversation forever…it will help me through the hard days.

Kelly Quinn: wow, now I am speechless….

Thrive With Bipolar Disorder: Would it be okay with you if I shared this conversation on my gratitude page? I believe it could inspire soooo many people

Kelly Quinn: it is more than ok…..i see it as “paying it forward”. You have inspired me, I would love to be able to do the same for others.

Thrive With Bipolar Disorder: Speechless again… Thank you!

Kelly Quinn: ‎🙂 !! xx

Gratitude on a MONDAY!

in team THRIVE - OUR GRATITUDE by Robin Mohilner June 13, 2011 0 comments

As a Team our goal is to focus on GRATITUDE

Friday – Sunday (and if we miss the mark it is fine)

HERE IS SOMETHING SPECIAL…GRATITUDE ON MONDAY

Thrive With Bipolar Disorder: Good morning “team THRIVE” (at least it is Monday morning where I am in Los Angeles)! What would you like to talk about today?

Emmy: how good life can be! :}

Thrive With Bipolar Disorder: Emmy…do share!

Emmy: i’ve been so grateful. i mean, to have air in my lungs, food in my stomach, and eyes to see the beauty in the world. what could be better?

Thrive With Bipolar Disorder: Woo hoo! Keep sharing…what else are you grateful for?

Emmy: i just know that there’s nothing wrong with me. and that’s great to know.

Lisa: I am GRATEFUL for a very special man in my life, my fiance’ . He has stood strong by my side through so much. We will be married in 18 days. I am grateful for my Dad for teaching me so many things. I have ‘issues’ with my Mom, but I am Grateful that she really did her best in raising us. She was emotionaly detatched…no drugs or alcohol, which is another thing I am VERY grateful for…that I was raised in a safe home.

Lisa: My Dad was my Mom’s caretaker because she has Alzheimer’s Disease. Early stage. He took care of her until he was too sick to anymore. They moved to Oak Park then he passed @ HospiceCare in Fitchburg, Wi. I am VERY Grateful to HospiceCare for taking good care of my Dad, Don Getter. R.I.P…Dad…1-28-2011

Self-Care Journal: Day 1 ~ June 12, 2011

in team THRIVE - OUR GRATITUDE by Robin Mohilner June 13, 2011 0 comments

How “team THRIVE” does SELF-CARE

Isabella: I done some wii fit training, and more yoga and some belly dancing just to blow of some steam and energy. Been reading a bit, fixed my feet (pedicure) and took a long Spa-shower just to feel like a swan princess. I guess the next thing I will do is cuddle up in the sofa with a bowl of ice cream and some episodes of LOST 🙂

Living with bipolar: I pampered myself, did some housework, worked on my makeup studio, made a slideshow….ohhh and my husband cooked me dinner and cleaned up =)

Julie: I have recognized that this past year, I have completely changed my environment to that of peaceful surroundings with loving friends and family. I’m enjoying it mostly. Might go to the beach today to sit by the water and do some “rock picking” to find agates and other little gems to make into jewelry I can sell. It’s therapeutic…the water and the rocks and jewelry making.

Jen: I’m starting a new job today, one that’s in the field of the degree I just graduated with, and one that I hope will be challenging and fulfulling to me. It’s been my first full time job since diagnosis, wish me luck!

Norman: Hanging out with my son, daughter-in-law and my new twin granddaughter.

Kelly: I have tried to keep my environment calm, and utilized my creative side xx

Julie: I ended up going to the park near my house with my daughter and my two grandchildren. We had a picnic. My two year old granddaughter found a group of girls to play with and when they left, one of them came to say goodbye and they hugged and gave each other a kiss. My 11 month old chubby grandson smiles almost constantly. We sat in the grass and I fed him snacks. We went back to my house and my g-daughter helped me plant a garden. Then we had shrimp scampi.

Gratitude Journal: Day 2 & 3 ~ June 11 & 12, 2011

in team THRIVE - OUR GRATITUDE by Robin Mohilner June 13, 2011 0 comments

6/11/2011

team THRIVE’s GRATITUDE

Norman: This might sound strange but I’m grateful that I live in Sonoma Co. CA I couldn’t imagine living any where else.

Jennifer: I feel pretty stabilized and for that im grateful…i havent felt this way in a long time or maybe even ever. My meds are being adjusted and I feel normal. Not to high not too low. Im thankful for my dog…he loves me no matter what 🙂 im also thabkful that my insomnia has left for about a week now ive been tired and sleeping through the night. I feel so blessed right now. Woohoo!

6/12/2011

Lesa: Having my dog daisy with me.

Living with bipolar: spending quality time with my children making pancakes.

Julie: A boyfriend who tries hard to understand and is kind and supportive.

Lisa: MAJOR self-destructoin last night…I’m Ok now.

Lisa: My fiance’ who has stood by me thorough some tough times already. I love you.

Norman: Since 1975 I’ve been to alcohol treatment 5 times and hospitalized 4 times for BPD. I’ve been very successful and I’ve been homeless. I’m grateful that both my son’s and now their wives have always been there and have never judged me. I sometimes wonder why they never quit on my, I’m grateful they haven’t.

Jennifer: my new kayak and my new enjoyable hobbie…having enough confidence to be myself. I saw some beautiful things. Ive been needing an “out” for sometime now. And we got a great deal.

Gratitude Journal: Day 1 ~ June 10, 2011

in team THRIVE - OUR GRATITUDE by Robin Mohilner June 13, 2011 0 comments

team THRIVE is GRATEFUL

Lisa: My DAD…even though he is gone I am still learning from him every day to have strength.

Thrive With Bipolar Disorder (Robin Mohilner): I am so incredibly grateful that I get to be here and facilitate our team. I am grateful for all of you being here. I learn so much from you. And I am so grateful that I am able to give you everything I can…and that it is of value to you.

Vanessa: I am grateful for myself to always be able to come around again and keep trying and trying! That is pure strength when you don’t give up and allow others to help you! Nothing wrong with help! Just makes you more adamant about yourself! Persistence & Courage! :)) ♥

Jen: I am grateful to my pharmacist. He understands when I run in, frazzled, and I haven’t had my meds for a day or two because I forgot to stop in. He understands when I don’t have the cash for my meds for a couple days, and spots me a few until I do. He understands when I get a med that needs prior authorization, and works with the doctor and insurance company nonstop until I’m authorized. He knows everything about every med I take, in and out, and can help me with any symptom or side effect I have. He knows what works with what, what doesn’t work with what, and what combinations are bad. He’s caught deadly interactions that even my doctors haven’t caught. I know that there’s not many people in the world I can count on, but my pharmacist is always there for me. ♥

Mike: I am grateful for the paths i have choosen. It it wasnt for the mistakes, the episodes, and both the good and the bad, then i would not be where i am at now. I would not have the honor to look into my daughters eyes every morning and every night and tell her, her daddy loves her.

Kelly: I am grateful for the insight I have into my illness and for having the most supportive husband and children xxx

Silent Screamers: I am grateful for friends who try their best to be there for me, even when they don’t, or just can’t, understand. Friends who like me for ME and don’t think I’m a freak.

Bipolar disorder – Diary of a certified nutter: Great idea Robin, I think it is really helpful to be able to concentrate on the good things in life xx…… I am grateful for knowing the laughter which hypomania brings, the energy and passion it gave me. However I am equally as grateful to not be fooled by the mask hypo/mania wears and to have the determination to carry on taking my meds. To not feel guilty over the small insignificant things in life, to see the smile on my childrens faces and to know that I haven’t given up on this little crazy thing we call life….

Julie: I’m grateful for my family; my children and my grandchildren. They are the fasteners that keep me tethered to this world and the warm blankets that keep this world from being too cold.

Christine: The truly good things in life. I have found that you can strive for the superficial things in life more but you’ll more than likely end up depressed in a pricey chair in an overpriced house.

Norman: I’m so grateful for both my sons, their wives and my sister and her family. Even when they didn’t understand, they never judged me.
My brand new twin granddaughter see my profile pic. I hung around long enough to a grandpa.

Maria: Think I might’v been #114 – I am grateful that I can feel! Nice to be on ur page.

Jennifer: Im thankful for encouragement!!!

Christine: I am very grateful for the good, patient people in my life. For my great upbringing by my parents and also for the joy that my animals bring on a daily basis as without them I suspect that I would have been in far worse health.