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.

If you want to truly like yourself, it always starts off with self-respect.  And you can not do that if you consistently do not enjoy yourself.  When in your own heart you do not do the things that you know you ought to do you lose self respect.

I have been there.  I know what that is like.  I have not always liked me.  Not that you can all the time.  If you want others to like you, first you have to like yourself.

And that starts by obeying that tiny voice only you can hear.  When you do the things that have to be done, then you gain greater respect of yourself.

At the same time we are creatures of pleasure.  We have to find joy in our lives, we have to every day do things that give us pleasure.  I can not tell you what they are but you know.

Life is one of balance.  Yes, each of us has obligations to our loved ones.  And our life can not be just that although you always have to fulfill the most important obligations in your life.

But still you have to find pleasure in what you do and that means doing at least a few things every day you enjoy.

All this produces self respect.  And like.  Violate your deepest self consistently and you will dislike yourself.  Respect who you are and you are more apt to like yourself and in turn others will like you more.  It always starts with you.