• About Us
  • Books
  • Not Funny© Series

Dialogue from the Depths

~ Make Sweetness from the Bitterness

Dialogue from the Depths

Tag Archives: thankfulness

L.O.V.E. & P.O.E.T.R.Y.

10 Thursday Mar 2016

Posted by hubby1974 in Affirmations, Blogging, poetry, Relationship

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

appreciation, gratitude, growth, journalling, love, poetry, pride, Relationship, thankfulness

 heart-love-gif
Source: quotesblog.net

Message from Lee, which inspired Hubby’s poetic reply (below):

I really appreciate you and I feel so proud of my ability to share these things with you and be willing and able to discuss them with you in a calm and loving, sharing way without reacting or feeling threatened or controlled or criticised or told what to do. I also feel proud that I can hear, value, and even more – WANT your opinion and know that I can still have my own and still make my own decision.  I am proud of “us” that we had the conversation that we did this morning, in the WAY that we did. I do believe that we are given these dilemmas and challenges for a reason, and I know that the most important one was to practice and succeed in our communication as we demonstrated this time.


From Hubby:

L etter

O f

V oluptuous

E cstasy

 

Me writing poetry is quite a feat,

So if you are ready to hear, pull up a seat.

I challenged myself to find words that are succinct,

To express the extent to which I feel we are linked.

 

Our talk this morning didn’t last very long,

But making the most of every opportunity, is never wrong.

I too, am proud of your ability to share,

It’s important to acknowledge it didn’t come from nowhere.

 

See that we’ve worked hard to learn how to talk,

It’s a bit like babies learning to walk.

The WAY we conversed was inspirational indeed,

Gives such confidence that we’re certain to succeed.

 

We don’t need to wait for misunderstandings to write,

Poetry can be appropriate everyday or night.

In summary, I am ecstatic that we’ve removed the ‘boxing glove’,

As a result we’ve found lots and lots of LOVE.  ❤ ❤ ❤


P.O.E.T.R.Y

By Lee Sweet ©

P lace
O f
E xpression
T o
R eveal
Y ourself


 

Is Not Wasted

06 Sunday Mar 2016

Posted by hubby1974 in Blogging, poetry, reblog

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

Grateful, growth, poetry, reblog, thank you, thankfulness, thanksgiving

Thanks to new blogger Un Break My Heart (poem below) for reblogging my post Dear Hypomanic Wife (first attempt at a poetic message to her) and my wife’s spontaneous reply.

Check out my wife’s next poetic creation, which was even better – let us know what you thought. Cheers

This day is not wasted. There are clouds going by in a teal blue sky. This day is not wasted. There are birds overhead, soaring high. This day is not  wasted.  Ther’s a table set from whence to look afar of the blue skies  and the deep blue seas beneath the horizon.

This day is not wasted…

MORE, click below.

Source: Is Not Wasted

I’m Yours: Response to Tides vs Waves

02 Wednesday Mar 2016

Posted by bittersweet1976 in Affirmations, Blogging, Humor, poetry, Relationship

≈ 29 Comments

Tags

acceptance, Blogging Awards, communication, friends, Grateful, humor, love, marriage, poetry, Relationship, thank you, thankfulness

Response to Tides vs Waves


Yes, my friend, I must agree
There’s nothing better than poetry
To soften my heart, and allow me to hear
All the things you’ve shared on the blogosphere

 

Firstly I’d like to let you know
Just how much I love you so
And appreciate all your determination
To fine-tune our hearts to the same ‘station’

Your message is simple and yet so deep
And yes, I am open, and yet I still weep
But the tears are those of being so moved
By the love and the care you so much infuse

I am sorry for my part in the misunderstandings
And I also feel sure that our awareness is expanding
We are learning so much, as we continue to flourish
We‘ve weathered the storms and revealed great courage

I too am so happy with how close we‘ve connected
And I see your concern of it being affected
I see how important it is to be
communicating and sharing constantly

I thank you for all your gratitude and praise
For my hard work in the home that I hope’s not a phase 😉
Your encouragement and smiles make my heart sing
If I am a Queen, then you are my King!

I’m glad to have learned from what we’ve lately discussed,
We are not “you and me”, we are really an “us”
I see it‘s important to carve out time
To share with each other, including in rhyme!

I thank you again for the poem you wrote
The expressions of dedication and love it connotes
This poetic initiative has opened new doors,
I’ve liked all you said and I’ll say “I’m yours!”

A Must Read Tag-along Poem Cooked By All Of Us… Tuesday Trivia

17 Wednesday Feb 2016

Posted by hubby1974 in Blogging, poetry, reblog, Relationship

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

blog, blogging, communication, humor, journalling, love, Relationship, thankfulness, Valentines Day

Well, here it is… The tag-along poem you’ve all been waiting for. Special thanks Jacqueline for arranging the exercise and hosting the party too.

I am constantly amazed at the new & creative ways to bring the blogosphere to ‘life’, promoting connection, love and support.

a cooking pot and twisted tales

acookingpotandtwistedtales

Her eyes shone with tears

That clung to her lashes

She glanced at the ring

It’s twinkles brought back flashes

 Seeking you first

She knew in her heart,

she’d never forget this day.

The emotions she felt,

overwhelming- in a way.

Gradmama

–blue shoes and sashes 

 Melinda Kucsera

she knew where the stash is–

of chocolates liquor splashed,

frosted with white slashes… 

Elihu

Memories were there

Of Love and of laughter

A future there too

Of happily ever after 

Oba Kingsoracle

At last, he said it

It seemed like forever

But here and now

Her heart for him to keep

Forever.

Writersdream9

She was anticipating all the joy he would bring 

Sarah C

As the band struck a tune….

was it too soon?

the cat crossed their path quickly

And then it was time for giggling 

Noirfifre

She spent all that time, years

she would never…

View original post 284 more words

Apologies are NOT Funny (Friday)

05 Friday Feb 2016

Posted by hubby1974 in Humor, Partner Advice, Relationship

≈ 10 Comments

Tags

blog, brave, condition, Grateful, growth, humor, journalling, Relationship, thankfulness

offended

To followup from yesterday, I realize that without the details of a specific apology, it would be difficult to fully understand.  For now, that’s all I could share and I appreciate the comments. 😉

Maybe some of these jokes/memes will give greater insights, for us all!

 

Source: bobbiblogger.wordpress.com

 

4ca18f1153_marriage-blame-flowchart
women_jokes2
Source: ghantafun.com & funnypictures.pk
  • Teacher: What do you call a person who apologizes if he has committed a mistake ?
    Boy: An honest man.
    Teacher: Good. And what do you call a person who apologizes even if he has committed no mistake ?
    Boy: A Boyfriend (or Husband!)

 

  • There once was a girl who wasn’t feeling very pretty so she went to a genie to make her pretty.
    The genie told her that to make her feel pretty, he would make it so that every time someone apologized to her her boobs would increase by one size.
    So the girl is walking down the street and someone bumps into her and says, “Oh, I’m sorry,” and the woman’s boobs went up one size.
    Then someone accidentally stepped on her foot and said, “I’m sorry,” and her boobs got one size bigger.
    Then she’s walking down the street and a man from India bumps into her and says, “Oh my god! A thousand apologies!”
Source: jokebuddha.com & jokes4us.com

1912245_10152866519834578_6757377543727819003_n

Source: smsfriendssms.blogspot.co.il

This reminded me of a joke in my first Funny Friday post.

thanks-for-being-the-bigger-person-and-apologizing-when-im-clearly-wrong-itJ
sorry-not-sure-apology-ecard-someecards
e618fe3dff6d06d193e79f3b06228a1f
Source: someecards.com

I-Am-So-Sorry-But-I-Hope-Youll-Accept-Such-A-Apology-Picture

Source: imagefully.com

GREAT APOLOGY TIPS

In researching today’s post, I discovered a really great website for apologizing DOs and DONTs.  When you next need to apologize to someone, you might find it helpful.  Finally, I thought these last two pics were a cute way to end – there is nothing like makeup sex, as an apology, right?!

sorry-picked-fight-apology-ecard-someecards
the-story-of-20-toes-in-20-minutes
Source: someecards.com & coltmonday.wordpress.com

Dear Hypomanic Wife

25 Monday Jan 2016

Posted by hubby1974 in Fleeting insights, Hypomania, poetry, Relationship

≈ 14 Comments

Tags

Bipolar Disorder, Depression, hypomania, Relationship, thankfulness

Dear Hypomanic Lee,
I’m not afraid of you
And you don’t need to be afraid of me.
There are a few things I’d like you to hear
Particularly that you have nothing to fear.

Although I wanted to try this challenge of basic rhyme,
I really ought to pause because it’s taking a lot more time.
But maybe in your reply,
You might like to give it a try.
It’s clear how creative and talented you are,
You will always be MY star!
Thank you for doing the laundry and helping kids every morn’,
My appreciation is never ending, even though expressing it isn’t always the norm (anagram of morn’) 😉

[PAUSE] POEM
I was never good at rhyme. You definitely are. When we chatted the last few days, you seem scared to admit that you might be in “fast fwd” – I get it.  You appeared worried that I wanted to take ‘you’ away, suppress that hypomanic energy.  This is not true. I have come to realise that this hypomanic state is a powerful blessing, but as with any raw energy source, if left without guidance or supervision, the power can become uncontrollable.  At that point there is no point fighting against it – I am certain to lose.

But I am not afraid.  I believe together we can harness this energy safely.  I love you, Hypomanic Lee. My goal is not to extinguish your fire, but to understand as much as possible, about your ‘normal’ vs hypomanic self (vs dysphoric hypomania), in order to not let it burn us. I have come to learn that there are many strategies that, once mastered, can give us the strength to embrace the energy – not deny or suppress it.  I want to embrace you, Hypomanic Lee. Trust me, please.  I am not afraid of you – don’t be afraid of me.

[PLAY] POEM
Now after all that I’ve shared,
It should be clear truly how much I have cared.
As I lie here in bed (0530),
I want to remind you of something you recently said.
Your writing to me on our blog really ‘made my week’,
So if you are so inclined, your written reply I do seek! 😛

Hubby

X O O X

ps Here’s a song from our favorite singer, Billy Joel, about fire energy!

For REPLY from Lee, click here.

 

 

First Time Blogging

21 Thursday Jan 2016

Posted by bittersweet1976 in Blogging, Fleeting insights, Hypomania, Relationship

≈ 30 Comments

Tags

blog, blogging, communication, Goals, gratitude, growth, journalling, Relationship, thank you, thankfulness

Blogging-fancy-name-for-writing-560x560
You-want-to-write-560x560
Source: seeingthelighterside.com

Hi Everyone out there!

This is the first time I am writing directly on this blog. I think, for my “Hubby”, I have made his day and also made a small, but significant, dream of his come true! 😉

Although I haven’t been writing here from me directly, I have allowed my hubby to share things I’ve written or said to him. He has also been sharing with me what he writes here and has also been showing me other people’s posts when he has been inspired by them and feels it would be relevant for me to read too.

A few days ago, he shared the following post by Anxious Mom titled Your So Lucky. What she wrote sounded exactly like it could have come from me – about how lucky I am to have such an amazing, supportive, loyal, loving, dedicated husband who loves me unconditionally and would do anything in his power to help me and make our relationship work and be strong.

He has loved the phrase “perfectly imperfect” (or is being “imperfectly perfect” actually even better?!?)  ever since he first heard it and tells me and thinks I’m just that!

If you read Anxious Mom’s post, just know that everything she says is how I feel about my husband, and also describes what he does when I’m down (or up!) and, I’d just like to say, directly to him –

Hubby, I love you!
I appreciate you!
I thank you!

Lee

You’re So Lucky

21 Thursday Jan 2016

Posted by bittersweet1976 in Affirmations, Blogging, Fleeting insights, Partner Advice, reblog, Relationship

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

blog, blogging, gratitude, growth, journalling, Relationship, thank you, thankfulness

What Anxious Mom wrote sounded exactly like it could have come from me – about how lucky I am to have such an amazing, supportive, loyal, loving, dedicated husband who loves me unconditionally and would do anything in his power to help me and make our relationship work and be strong.

He has loved the phrase “perfectly imperfect” (or is being “imperfectly perfect” actually even better?!?) ever since he first heard it and tells me and thinks I’m just that!

Just know that everything Anxious Mom said is how I feel about my husband, and also describes what he does when I’m down (or up!) and, I’d just like to say, directly to him –
Hubby, I love you!
I appreciate you!
I thank you!

Lee
ps See “First Time Blogging“, 21 Jan, for the full post, and please comment.
pps Hubby asked me to write, but didn’t tell me ‘what to write’ 😉

100+ Followers (Manic Monday Musings)

19 Tuesday Jan 2016

Posted by hubby1974 in Awards, Blogging, Denial, Fleeting insights, Partner Advice

≈ 17 Comments

Tags

acceptance, Bipolar Disorder, blog, blogging, communication, Denial, gratitude, growth, journalling, Mental Health, thankfulness

 

scs20160118225718118Screenshot_2016-01-19-00-57-16_20160119005853078.jpgPerfect timing. I realized that in my last couple of posts, I inferred that last week was negatively affected by a mild episode of hypomania (such as a delay in posting my Funny Friday post), so I thought it was time to focus of something positive. The WordPress stats office sent notification that our blog reached the 100-follower milestone. For new bloggers like me, these milestone ‘trophies’ provide encouragement and motivation to continue through the ‘crawling’ stage of a blog’s development. I appreciate everyone who has followed, read, liked, reblogged, and commented: this list obviously reflects increasing levels of appreciation! As often mentioned by fellow bloggers, followers are not the ultimate goal – connection with blogosphere friends (new and old) is the most meaningful.

While in the thankful mode, I really appreciate my wife’s support of this blog, which has grown steadily over the last couple months. Although she is yet to post directly, regularly, she is consistently suggesting things for me to share – it’s only a matter of time. I am especially thankful for the progress in her recovery, which is particularly apparent in the incredible shift from denial (which was the focus of this blog in those extremely difficult weeks in October 2015) to the gradual acceptance of a mood disorder diagnosis…


An amazing example of this new openness and curiosity about her condition, happened just tonight.  After I shared a blog post about an inspirational couple who describe an uncanny similar situation to us, my wife showed me something she wrote in her diary today: “I love my husband and really appreciate him”.

I am not sharing this to ‘blow my own horn’, but as in intro into what came next.  Her short, simple validation of my efforts to live up to my role as soul mate brought me to the verge of tears.  This seemed to have touched her deeply,  prompting her to share the following profound thought (and gave me permission to share here):

As she reflected on her presumed bipolar disorder, she wondered whether it affects her perception of herself in relation to the normal/abnormal spectrum, to the point that everything she experiences may be a false reality.  She used the example of the premise of The Truman Show movie, in which the main character is unaware that he is living on a Hollywood film set, with everyone else in his life having insight about his ‘abnormal’ life circumstances.  My wife is contemplating whether her mood disorder is obvious to me and everyone around her, while she continues to live in relative obliviousness to the ‘abnormality’.

The conversation then flowed into the oft cited potential for creative brillance this condition is associated with.  My wife has that creative spark.  I reminded her of examples of fellow bipolar disorder sufferers such as Vincent Van Gogh, who’s painting The Starry Night,  depicted the view from his mental hospital in France.  At this time, sleep appropriately overcame my wife, before we could delve any deeper and I immediately set to work on this masterpiece of a post.  Hope you enjoyed – don’t forget to let me know 😉

starry-night

The Starry Night: Vincent van Gogh

The Blogger Recognition Award

14 Thursday Jan 2016

Posted by hubby1974 in Awards, Blogging

≈ 11 Comments

Tags

blog, blogging, Goals, gratitude, journalling, thank you, thankfulness

blogger-recognition-award

Thanks to Magarisa (Becoming Unstuck) for nominating me for The Blogger Recognition Award. She is a creative writer, poetry, fascinating fiction and deep contemplations. As a new blogger just like me, I relate to her uncertainty in entering the blogosphere, but also the catharsis relief that writing provides.

I appreciate her reblog of my ‘blogging therapy‘ concept post a month ago, which I haven’t forgotten about. 😀  Thanks to all those who expressed interest and volunteered to help.  Planning in-progress… updates soon.

Here are the guidelines for the award:

  1. Select 15 other blogs you want to give the award to.
  2. You cannot nominate yourself or the person who has nominated you.
  3. Write a post to show your award.
  4. Give a brief story of how your blog started.
  5. Give a piece of advice or two to new bloggers.
  6. Thank whoever nominated you and provide a link to their blog.
  7. Attach the award badge to the post (right click and save, then upload.)
  8. Comment on each blog and let them know you have nominated them.
  9. Provide a link to the original post on Edge of Night.

How my blog started:

It’s funny how life works.  If it wasn’t for the intense crisis of depression with my wife, I would never have considered starting a blog.  As I briefly described in my  ‘Begin Again’ post, in my desperation to figure out how to hold my marriage and family together, I bought a number of bipolar disorder books, focussing on the partners role in support & recovery.  The first book I started reading, Loving Someone with Bipolar Disorder, Fast/Preston, strongly recommended journalling. So I decided to use blogging as my online journal, as I worked through the book’s exercises.

Even before this, when the depression crisis first became severe in July 2014, I discovered some research supporting the emotional health benefits of blogging.  This motivated me to initially setup the blog, with the intention of inviting my wife to contribute, so we could both share in the benefits. This is still a work-in-progress… but I do see movement.  She’s always keen to provide material for my Funny Friday posts!

Finally, if  I (a Family Physician with mental health training) have had such a hard time dealing with this crisis, I can only imagine how much harder it would be for other partners without that background.  As I hopefully navigate me and my wife through this incredible challenge, maybe my experiences may be able to help others.  Your comments, questions and feedback are always welcome.

Advice to new bloggers:

  • “Don’t compare your beginning to someone else’s middle.”  (Jon Acuff)
  • It’s hard to come up with a truely unique tip for new bloggers, because so many experienced bloggers have already covered that.  But I guess this is the secret.  You are the unique part in this blogosphere world.  There is nobody with exactly your life experience and creativity. Just write whatever inspires you… anything.  Experiment with words, like you would with paints on a canvas.
  • My biggest advice is set aside specific time for your ‘precious’ blogging. If you don’t feel blogging is precious yet, stick with it – you will!

My nominees:

There is no pressure to accept this award – except if you don’t, all those ‘bad things that happen when you don’t pass on a chain letter, shit…’   JOKING!!  It’s supposed to be fun, maybe provide a writing inspiration and share a little blogosphere-love around your blogosphere community!

My Child Within

mythoughts62

(not so) completely. miserable

The Year(s) of Living Non-Judgmentally

plotlessone.com

Katzenworld

bipolartohappiness

The Caffeinated Writer

debwashere

Silence The Ego

A Comedian’s Notebook

kidscrumbsandcrackers

fromthecsweet

living in stigma

newenglandnomad

← Older posts
Follow Dialogue from the Depths on WordPress.com

Archives

  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • October 2015
  • September 2015
  • July 2014

Subscribe

  • RSS - Posts
  • RSS - Comments

Categories

  • Affirmations
  • Anxiety
  • Awards
  • Blogging
  • Current Crisis
  • Denial
  • Fleeting insights
  • Humor
  • Hypomania
  • Partner Advice
  • poetry
  • reblog
  • Relationship
  • Religion
  • Research re blogging/health
  • Uncategorized

Meta

  • Register
  • Log in
  • Entries feed
  • Comments feed
  • WordPress.com

Awards

Mental Health Writer’s Guild Member 2015


This blog is proud to be a member of the Mental Health Writers' Guild.
Further information concerning the Guild can be found here.

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 182 other followers

Create a free website or blog at WordPress.com.

Cancel

 
Loading Comments...
Comment
    ×
    Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
    To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy