Chaos: The Downside to the Downward Spiral
- by Josh Murray
I’m not entirely sure what the actual verbatim textbook definition of the word “chaos” is, but I know for me it can only be described as a constant state of mental confusion and disorganization that leaves me in a place of total loss.
Continue ReadingThey Didn’t Break The Mold With Me
- by Josh Murray
In our modern day and age it can be easy to get wrapped up in oneself under even the most “typical” or “normal” circumstances. But when graced with a mental illness, any mental illness, those of us afflicted can sometimes really get lost in our own slanted egos.
Continue Readinga day in the life: mind over mania
- by Josh Murray
“You know how most illnesses have symptoms you can recognize? Well, with manic depression, it’s sexual promiscuity, excessive spending, and substance abuse—and that just sounds like a fantastic weekend in Vegas to me!” – Carrie Fisher It seems the older I get the less I enjoy the mania. At one point in my life, though,…
Continue ReadingOPINION: Religious Radicalism Leads to Extremist Attack on Texas Synagogue
- by Josh Murray
Antisemitism is nothing new in a world still all too familiar with the haunting images of the concentration camps of WWII and the emaciated survivors of the Holocaust. However, after the atrocities perpetrated by the Nazis on the Jewish people, it should be harder to believe we haven’t come a little bit farther as human beings.
Continue ReadingSPOTLIGHT: Kurt Cobain
- by Josh Murray
Not all days are bad days, and sometimes I have nothing in particular I need or want to say. So, I started a little “Spotlight” segment in which I talk about someone of cultural prominence who suffers from bipolar disorder. The idea is to use a “poof”-style piece to shine a light on said chosen person. It’s a personal exercise and challenge, and also helps make this illness just a tad more relatable. This is my second “Spotlight” piece, the first of which was on Vincent Van Gogh.
Continue ReadingOPINION: A Timeless Debate, “Prayer In School” Remains A Divisive Issue
- by Josh Murray
The debate over prayer in school has been one of high contention for decades now, and with the dispute still making headlines it only makes me wonder if any real progress or headway has been made. Or will ever be made.
Continue ReadingStuck In The Middle With Me: The Crash, Burn, and (1st) Revival
- by Josh Murray
From the ages of 15 – 25 I was in a total tailspin without being aware that anything was wrong (there’s a lot in that 10-year period that could act as a general testament to human stupidity, so we’ll save that for another day). However, it was right before my 25th birthday that it was more than clear that I needed help.
Continue Readinga day in the life: a slight return
- by Josh Murray
“Self-care is how you take your power back.” – Lalah Delia From a short break I return! A break, for once, not brought on by my own illness, but on the one my wife and two of my sons have been afflicted with over the past week. Yes, the dreadful and divisive covid finally made…
Continue ReadingThis Isn’t Battle, This Is War
- by Josh Murray
“Bipolar is like being on a roller coaster ride. Sometimes you can predict drop offs and others you just have to hang on because the next turn sends you into an unexpected spiral.” – Unknown “Although the ups and down come and go, the illness never leaves.” I’m not sure if anyone has ever actually…
Continue ReadingWriting, or Something Like It
- by Josh Murray
“For me, the first sign of oncoming madness is that I’m unable to write.” – Marya Hornbacher, Madness: A Bipolar Life It’s funny how certain traits and talents go when in the throes of either a manic or depressive period. And it’s funny how others become amplified. Well, as someone in between cycles and bracing…
Continue ReadingA Sad Truth: Bipolar Disorder & Suicide
- by Josh Murray
“Every man has his secret sorrows which the world knows not; and often times we call a man cold when he is only sad.” – Henry Wadsworth Longfellow I’ve touched on the statistics surrounding this issue in a past post, but now I feel the need to express myself on how it makes me feel…
Continue ReadingOPINION: A Year Later, Evangelical Subsect Still Using Christianity as Guise for Jan. 6 Insurrection
- by Josh Murray
It’s been just over a year now since the January 6 Capitol attack and if a desirable endgame has been attained in your eyes, then please, by all means, shed some light for me. To say the phrase “all politics aside…” isn’t applicable when it comes to the aforementioned insurrection would be a blatant and…
Continue ReadingDoom & Gloom: The Lonely Lows
- by Josh Murray
Most people know that bipolar disorder is a mental health condition characterized by extreme mood swings. That’s about as much as they know, though; the rest is just assumed. But anyone with bipolar disorder knows the feeling of the crash and comedown that comes after a bout of mania or hypomania.
Continue ReadingThese 10 Things Will Help Bloggers To Remain Motivated In 2022
- by Josh Murray
Renard provides bloggers with tips on remaining motivated in the year, 2022. These 10 Things Will Help Bloggers To Remain Motivated In 2022
Continue ReadingMy Cracked Faith
- by Josh Murray
Nietzsche said faith is not wanting to know what the truth is. And as a dutiful nihilist, I would be remiss to even try and feign a belief in a Christian God.
Continue Readinga day in the life: hope(ful)
- by Josh Murray
“For too long we have swept the problems of mental illness under the carpet… and hoped that they would go away.” – Richard Codey Whoever said “hope springs eternal” never offered me any sound advice on the mantra. Despite being someone who operates from a place of hopelessness, hope seems to be all I have…
Continue ReadingMe, Myself, & the Genetic Connection?
- by Josh Murray
As I’ve mentioned before, there is no one, direct cause when it comes to bipolar disorder. However, it is known that approximately 80% of the cause has been traced back to genetics. And with the heritability rate of bipolar disorder being off the charts, it’s only natural for me to wonder who is responsible for passing this on down the line to me.
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