Confidence to Disagree

Being a patient in the mental health system can be an arduous and complicated path.  Opinions of others are offered to you by "professionals" as a course of the every day.  Finding one's own opinion on things can be difficult.  This can be an essential step to self actualization and maturation.  Knowing that you can trust your thought processes when you are not in crisis can be tricky.  Learning about one's illness is important, but learning about one's wisdom and effectiveness is also paramount to living a free and accomplished life.  Dealing with the day to day of the tough patches can leave us shaken.  We may not know what part of ourselves to trust.  This is where good soundingboards are essential.  A good group, therapist, friend, or family member can get one a long way in the personal, internal PR department.

It is okay to disagree.  It is okay to have emotion about disagreements.  This is how we find out what we think.  It is just important that we edit our disagreeable thoughts when we are not in a safe environment.  When we are attacked, we may go back to questioning the validity of our thought or argument.  I have found that my bipolar self can create a sensitivity to opposing opinions and a lingering feeling that makes it difficult to let go.  I do not have to prove someone wrong to have a sound and thoughtful point of view.  I have different experiences and angles on things.  In some situations I may have more experience with the subject matter than I may admit publically because it can come from treatment settings.

I feel, acknowledge my feelings, seek a validating and effective ear, and feel as the attachment to the disagreemnt fades.  Sometimes I need to write my way through it and find the artistic wisdom in the encounter.

Making my point today may aid someone tomorrow.  It is okay to be the minority opinion.  It is okay to be a person with a mental health present and history.  We are viable entities.  Sometimes our refreshing view can aid others in seeing the obsurdity of a situation.  Be a force to be reckoned with even if you speak in a whisper.  Our emotions and opinions may form from listening to others as we sat silent, doubting ourselves.  We do not have to be Knowy McKnow It All.  Flowing with the chimes in our mind can assist the hail in finally falling from the sky to signal a storm.  Most of all, be true to yourself, respecting others, and yourself, and you will always have a place at humanity's table.