Up In The Air Movie

In Up in the Air movie, starring George Clooney, he invites us to complete a self-reflective exercise on what is weighing us down in life.  He uses the analogy of a back-pack which begins empty and to which we are invited to add all the things we have in our lives.  For example, we begin with our homes – ornaments, pictures, belongings, furniture, cars, people, relationships, insurance policies, commitments etc.  At various points during this we are asked to walk with the backpack – after filling it with only 1 or 2 items, it becomes impossible for us to move with ease.  Beyond this, it is impossible to even lift the backpack and we feel pinned to the ground.

This analogy invites us to consider our lives differently.  With so many appendages, it is clear to see literally how we become de-pressed and anxious – we can’t move!  Agreed, we aren’t physically carrying around all these things – but everything we have IS a responsibility – it draws our attention – it needs paying for, maintaining, cleaning, insuring etc. Additionally, remaining stuck in the past, holding on to past grievances – all sources of weight and de-pression of who we are and can be.

How do we lift the load? It begins with an appraisal of our values and what is truly important to us.  This becomes the internal navigation of how we spend our time and attention.  Stress is not imposed from the outside.  It is our response to life’s events – and occurs when we are not acting in accordance with our true selves and our integrity.  You can change this when you begin to see that you are the navigator of your life – you have just lost your way.  Invest your time and energy in creating a life that means something – not one weighed down with things that don’t serve you in creating that life.

Why am I living like I am?

Modern living is challenging with pressure on us to ‘make the most of our lives’. Markers of achievement like our job, relationship, financial status and lifestyle are invariably used to see if we are on track.  However, whilst we can learn the ‘how’ and ‘what’ of how we want to live our lives, what about the ‘why?’

In choosing how to live like you do, ask yourself:

• Why am I doing what I do?
• Is this what I want or what someone else has chosen for me?
• Is this making me happy?
• What is the purpose behind everything I do?

In working with clients over the years, a time always comes in their lives when they ask ‘What is this all about?’ ‘Why am I living like I am?‘  These are bigger questions than ‘Because I have a mortgage to pay or children to feed’.  They relate to the ‘why?’ behind why you live like you can.  Don’t leave your life to chance – ‘live on purpose’. If you find the ‘why’ ,the ‘what’ and ‘how’ become easier anyway.

Bi-Polar Disorder – Chemical or life imbalance?

Bi-Polar Disorder is characterised by a cycle of manic behaviour and debilitating depression.  Anyone who has suffered or observed the process, might readily accept explanations of chemical imbalance since what else could cause such extremes of behaviour and mood?  When experiencing mania, the individual has enormous energy and can work on something for hours without a break, with little awareness of bodily needs such as food, sleep or bathroom visits.  Mood is elevated and people around often find this behaviour overbearing or intense.  The individual often reports feeling peak experiences or creativity, optimism and energy.  Then the mood changes – the individual is plunged into depression, darkness and with so little motivation they may not be able to get out of bed.   Is this due to chemical imbalances or is there more to this?

Whilst there is evidence that chemical changes do occur in the body that directly relate to mood, my own experience of working with this syndrome indicates it is often related to living contrary to one’s desires and aspirations.  This may be sound trivial since the sufferer indeed finds their life dramatically disrupted.  However, when  a sufferer dares to explore beneath the surface, it is often the case that their symptoms distract them from addressing important questions about their life choices.

For the many individuals I have worked with who have been labelled bi-polar disorder, psychological counselling reveals an event or series of events that inhibit the individual truly choosing their life direction – and the question remains ‘What comes first?  Chemical imbalance or life imbalance?’