Siggy's Blurbs: Siggy's Edge of Country …

I don’t have to feel or think perfectly to thrive.  I have a bipolar disorder and I know certain symptoms persist but I ignore them and realize it is my brain tricking me.

People who are older understand this perfectly.  Their mobility may have become limited and also have other diminishing illnesses but that is okay.  You do your best and you do not complain.

Sure every disturbing thought of mine can be extinguished but at a heavy price:  I no longer would be able to function at the drug regiment (???) that would accomplish that.

I just know my subconscious can annoy me with disturbing thoughts that make me anxious but so what.  I do take the meds that lower this threshold.

I refuse not to do the things that I enjoy simply because my brain (or subconscious) is not totally cooperating.  I still do what gives me pleasure as much as I can realizing fully there are times it will be more difficult to do certain things.

At certain times I avoid crowded areas particularly restaurants fully aware that in certain states it will be more difficult to deal with my thoughts but If I have to go out to dinner I just go.

Somewhere your personality can be found in that “book” some psychiatrists use but so what.  Every person is different and flawed.  You (and other people) simply have to accept that.

Tags: accept yourself, anxious, bipolar disorder, brain tricking me, crowded areas, disturbing thoughts, do your best, drug regimen, everyone is different, everyone is flawed, illnesses, medications, meds, my thoughts, older people, pleasure, psychiatrist, subconscious, symptoms, think perfectly, thrive, your personality
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Perfectionism is the work of the devil.  Let us take one area, writing.  At each step, I must learn to relax and accept my work.  I have done my best and must rest.

The converse, is to tear out your hair and moan to yourself and tell yourself I could have done better (to whoever you want to compare yourself to).

This attitude is counterproductive.  Always comparing yourself to someone else’s work splits your concentration.  Being always concerned your work does not match up (to whoever) weakens your work.

To write the best you can is to accept your results at every stage of your piece.  There should be only one person you should compare yourself to:  and that is you.

You are unique.  Comparing yourself to anyone else really does not work.  No one can be you.  Trying at every stage to improve your work is fine.  But at every stage, learn to relax and accept the results.

And unfortunately when you write and are concerned whether your work matches up to anyone else, you eventually become paralyzed and stop writing because you have become too anxious.

Wanting to get better and better is normal.  And submitting your work to a trusted editor is good but learn to relax and accept your results at every stage of the piece.  This attitude preserves your sanity and enables you to keep on writing.

There is only one you and no one likes phonies so keep exploring in your writing the unique place you have in this world.  And avoid the trap of perfectionism.  Then you will continue to write the best you can.  And that should be your only goal–to become the best writer you are capable of–and you will.

Tags: accept your results, anxious, concentration, devil, do your best, don't compare yourself, editor, God, improve your work, only one you, paralyzed, perfectionism, phonies, relax and accept my work, rest, stop writing, submit your work, writer, writing, you are unique
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Life is simply unfair.  Someone thinking it should be is not thinking clearly.  Life can’t possibly be fair.  Some people have more and conversely some people have less.  That is a fact of life.

Some people are incredibly talented and can almost do anything.  While others are only talented in one area of their life.  Talent is not everything either.  Some parents pushed their kid into being a doctor.  And they became a competent one but it was not where the person’s heart lay.  Maybe, the person would have become an outstanding mechanic (or artist for that matter).

Every person is dealt a specific hand.  You either like it or not.  One thing you can do is accept it and do your best with your specific situation.  Yes, life is not fair but if you rant and rail you make those around miserable not to say yourself also.

Everything is by grace.  I have no doubt about that.  So accept your station in your life and do the best you can with what you got.  You may be surprised at the results.  And I firmly believe what the Bible says:  excellence is always recognized in whatever pursuit you follow with all your heart.

And maybe, you are just good.  There is nothing wrong with good.  Good is better than half.  No matter what you do, do it honestly and do it with all the skill and energy you can muster.  Yes, life is unfair.  Play your cards you are dealt.  You will be far happier.  And in the process so will the people your life is intertwined with.  Happiness spreads and is contagious.

Tags: accept yourself, Bible, do things honestly, do your best, everything-is-by-grace, God, grace, happiness, life-is-unfair, play-cards-you-are-dealt, skill, skill and energy, talent, with all your heart
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