I have recently been diagnosed as having bipolar depression, which is a kind of depression that causes the person to fluctuate between being on a high, and being very exuberant and creative, as well as being depressed and lethargic.

To me, "bipolar depression" is just a psychological term that describes life which is indeed a series of ups and downs, isn't it? And I would like to dispel the myth that even helpers like myself are immune to feeling depressed, or beyond western medication. Yes, while I prefer natural healing aids to western drugs, there are times when the latter still comes in useful, as long as it is complemented with a balanced lifestyle and natural healing methods.

So is it ironic for me to be in this helping profession when I "can't even help myself?" Not so. I once participated in a teleconference for solo-preneurs where we talked about the core value of our business. A lady confided her worries that she seem to be experiencing the opposite of her core value more than the core value itself.

At that point, I was urged to share my views, and I did. I told them that the core value of my business is JOY, and yet I have been experiencing depression a number of times in my life, especially during my younger days. Nevertheless, these experiences only help me to understand the difference between joy and lack of joy, and having been in the state of lack of joy, allows me to strengthen my abilities to transit into states of joy, whether on my own or with the help of external resources.

In other words, just like how you wouldn't trust a single childless person to advise you about parenting, I wouldn't trust a therapist to help me through depression unless he or she has been there, done that! (I got a virtual standing ovation for my sharing by the way!)

It just so happens that the tagline for my business is "Finding peace through life's ups and downs". How apt it is for Life to present me with the condition of bipolar depression, so that I can indeed find peace through life's ups and downs, and as a result, assist other people to do the same.

So yes, I am proud to announce that I have bipolar depression, because I know that this condition would help me help other people even more effectively. It is also a good chance for me to practice self-acceptance, in spite of this stigmatizing condition i.e. Even though I have bipolar depression, I deeply and completely accept myself...

How can YOU turn a challenging situation into an empowering learning tool for you to become an even better person?

Here's a tapping exercise you may want to use:

Tapping on the Karate Chop point, say "Even though I am going through this situation and it is hard to see it positively, I am willing to sit with these emotions for a while and allow the Divine to shine light on this situation, so that I may use it as a tool for positive transformation.

Tap on the remaining EFT points noticing the thoughts and emotions that arise as you do so. Finish off by tapping 2-3 rounds of the EFT points and saying "I use this situation for positive transformation" at each point.

May you receive the challenges in your life with courage and joy!

Author's Bio: 

Lena Chen is an experienced EFT practitioner and author of "Emotional Freedom at your fingertips: How to get from PISSED to PEACE in mere minutes with Emotional Freedom Techniques" as well as creator of the EFT Affirmation Cards. Her expertise lies in helping her clients to heal chronic pains, relationship conflicts and depression. With her keen intuition, compassion and the wonderful efficacy of EFT, she has helped hundreds of people to heal themselves, thus improving their self-esteem, health and relationships. To find out more about Lena, please visit her website at www.lenashealinghaven.com or contact her at lena@lenashealinghaven.com.