People who inspire us (especially people who have mental illnesses)

[Beltane]

Hiya again. Though of another nice topic to start. When living with a mental illness, sometimes we feel its very hard- or even that we won't achieve our dreams because of our illnesses.

So I thought we could talk about the people who inspire us, especially those who have overcome mental illness (but you can talk about anyone inspirational).

Whether its a celebrity (living or dead), a musician or author, a famous figure, or even a person you know in your own life. Even a book you read that inspired you! Who inspires you?

(On a side note... what did Buzz Aldrin, Mozart and Einstein all have in common? They all have/ had mental illnesses! Buzz (alcoholism), Mozart (depression) and Einstein (bipolar). What did they also have in common? They were super awesome! Buzz (famous astronaut), Mozart (famous musician), Einstein (famous inventor and scientist). Just goes to prove that we don't have to be limited by our illnesses- we can still be super awesome in the ways we want to be!

The people who inspire me...

Ajahn Brahm. He is a Buddhist monk who writes books full of lovely life lessons and wise stories- my favourite (so far) is "Opening the Door of your Heart- and other Buddhist Tales of Happiness."

My aunt. When i was first diagnosed, she was my rock, and shes always been there for me along my journey to wellness. She is someone who's lived with a significant mental illness (a lifelong one) but has learned to overcome it to go on to have a happy long marriage (20 years and counting), a lovely home, her own business, and lovely kids. She has taught me how to cope with the ups and downs of living with a lifelong mental illness, and to achieve all my dreams and hopes anyway.
Most of all, she has given me hope to hang on to.... If she can overcome the troubles her illness caused, and go on to achieve all those wonderful things- then I can too!.

My mum. Single mum, always there for me, always the first to go out of her way to land a hand and help anyone out. Has worked her bottom off to provide her kids with a good life, and always helps us kids out of a spot of bother. What a legend.

Lets hear about your inspirational people!

[white knight]

Hi Beltane

Maharaji Prem Rawat, an inspirational speaker of common sense has Youtube videos that I watch weekly. An amazing man whos fame started when he was 9yo.

Don McLean for his song "Vincent" that touches me everytime I listen to it. for its melody, its meaning and its sorrow.

One of my friends that never ceases to return her loyalty.

My wife that shares her love and care of animals. An interest we equally share.

My father that never kissed me because I was a boy. But whos love for me was never questioned.

TO KISS HIS TEMPLE

There are some thing I knew as taboo

to express my love but to question - who?

when touching taboo.....when "men were men"

For boys are male and "you cant do that"

Jealous of my sister and that is that

that man cant hug his son for how he was seen

nowadays if you hugged your son...you'd be relieved

And so my dad, the salt of the land

wouldnt touch me- even by hand

he knew he loved me and I him

with a wink of an eye from below his brim

Then that day we all regret came along

where watery eyes was met by song

and there he lie with an eerie smile

I be alone with him for just a while

As I stroked his forehead cool to touch

I raised my head automatically as such

to kiss his temple of which I dare

I knew his mind was well aware

Of all the kisses I missed

they gathered together in just one kiss

finally as his spirit rose and went

He left his love and hugs were spent

I never craved again heart be blessed

new tradition for males -their love expressed

a kiss on his forehead way back then

ended an era when "men were men"....

Tony   WK

[Chris_B]

From the duplicate thread

geoff said:dear Beltane, well this is an interesting post and a good one.There are some amazing people who have suffered from depression but have been able to still live a life, what type of life this is we really don't know, but their public per se has shown us that their life appears to be normal, but deep down they are struggling like hell.I find comedians such as Peter Sellers, Robin Williams, John Cleese, Spike Milligan and Jim Carrey to be the most amazing people who have made such a big name on the screen, but behind closed doors they were a totally different person all suffering from some type of depression.To be able to turn it on and off may have been an escape for them, or perhaps a release, I'm not too sure that we would really know.Another person who broke my heart when I heard the news was Princess Diana when she was killed in the car accident, but she also suffered from depression, and tragically this could have been brought on by many different factors, which we know of, but tried to be hidden under the secrecy of the Royals.She was loved and adored by so many people.One person who has also suffered is a man whether you like him or not is Stephen Hawking, who is regarded as a brilliant physicist and scientist, so this illness will never stop for anyone, as everybody is prone to getting it.It's an illness that can slowly build up and then dominant our personalities, or it even has the strength to affect us the next day, that's what nobody knows. L Geoff. x