So what have we learned in 2009, Christine?

Well, Non-specific Writing-Persona Addressee, we’ve learned many lessons in the past year. In no specific order whatsoever:

• Craft beer is an exciting and rewarding hobby. It’s also not as difficult to get involved as one might think.
• Bi-polar disorder is not to be taken lightly. At the very least, people with bi-polar disorder should be monitored by a counselor and have access to an M.D. psychiatrist when/if necessary. Otherwise, bi-polar patients can find their relationships, financial status, and general well-being rotating rapidly counter clockwise into the giant metaphorical bowl-drain waterway of life. Trust me.
• Get some exercise. Even if it’s just a little bit. Every other day is good, and if you can get outside, so much the better.
• Beware of those who are so busy pointing out your faults they fail to recognize their own. They probably aren’t your friends. I can’t believe I’m doing this, but … (Matthew 7:3). And yes, it’s slightly out of context to serve my own purposes. When do you ever see a bible quotation that isn’t?
• Some people are mostly nice, but that doesn’t mean they won’t try to manipulate you. Be nice back, but don’t let them piss you off so much you cry. It shortens your life, and life is pretty short as it is.
• Stop drinking so much, eating so much, and eating so many things that are bad for you. Most of the time, but not all of the time… heheheh. But yes, your mother is right, you’ll feel better.
• If at all possible, get a cat or a dog. Why a cat or a dog? Exotics, such as birds and ferrets (hee hee!) cannot leave their cages and choose to hang out with you. Having a critter come and sit with you can sometimes mean the difference between the end of a shitty day and the end of a shitty day with a cat or a dog sitting next to you. The difference here seems infinitesimal, but it isn’t. Again, just trust me.

And so, Christine what do you plan to do about it in 2010?

Non-specific Writing-Persona Addressee, let me tell you, it’s going to be a shorter list with longer asides:

• Work on reducing clutter. Clutter isn’t that fabulous, and who really needs all this crap anyway? I can’t believe that my clutter level after Katrina (almost nil) and my clutter level now (don’t get me started) belong to the same person. Let’s see what we can do about it. Brain clutter is included here as well as physical clutter.
• Become more involved in bi-polar activism. I don’t know if “activism” is the right word, here, but I want to do something else besides being open about my bi-polar disorder. Oh, you noticed? Well, yes it’s true that I am very open and try to be matter-of-fact about the whole issue, because I’m trying as an individual to help reduce the stigma under which people with mood disorders (and other mental illnesses) labor. Why? Because I think it’s stupid, and it prevents people who really need help from seeking it out. Also, I think the level of awareness regarding mental health patients and what they go through needs to be raised. Once I feel more balanced and healthy, I plan to start volunteering or get involved with a group or organization which propagates these same beliefs.
• Brew more beer whenever possible.
• Try to think a bit more before opening my big mouth. Yeah, this is about as likely as Halley’s Comet returning before 2061, but I figure I can give it a shot.

So there you have it, kids. Please ensure that the car has come to a complete stop before exiting the ride. Also, for those of you reading via Facebook, MySpace, or LiveJournal, please click “view original post” before commenting if at all possible. That would rock. May you and yours enjoy a prosperous new year, and let’s try not to take ourselves too seriously this time around.

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