HI. My name is Louie. Welcome to my blog. I am a grown up baby.

My whole life, I've prided myself on being a kid at heart, in reality confusing this with being downright immature - in other words - a big baby, which now makes me a 56 year old baby man.

Check back from time to time, to watch as little Louie grows up. Kind of like watching Santa Claus fade away into oblivion or the 'tooth fairy' falling out of the sky. Bummer.




I guess it takes what it takes to grow up. I'm a little slower than some - OK, a lot slower (56 at the time of this writing) and may only be around 18 emotionally, but it's a good start. To be honest, I'm still not real keen on the idea of growing up, most days preferring to escape on grand adventures, in my head. And therin lies the difference - why Louie's finally growing up - today, these 'great escapes' are in my head and I'm not heading out the door with a backpack.

This blog chronicles a lifetime of insanity, in the truest sense of the word - BiPolar disorder, manic depression it used to be called. I am an outspoken advocate for mental health, freely describing my experience, strength and hope with anyone that's interested.

Many of these blog posts are from people that have written to me, many suffering emotional distress. All of these writings come from the heart, most of which are raw and unedited. If you are of the overly sensitive disposition - you might want to steer clear.

If you really wannna have some fun ... check this out ... www.dailygooddog.com

I do hope you enjoy my rantings. This is therapy for me, and a journal that shows me that I am, in fact, maturing - proving at long last to ex-wives, that it is possible even though pigs don't fly.

Louie Rochon



Wednesday, December 3, 2008

GOOD HEAD vs. BAD HEAD

Once again, a letter from a new friend (Good Dog reader) reminds me of the self-healing powers of The Dog, without which I would be in serious trouble. I've included my anonymous friend's email and my response, which provides yet another glimpse into my manic-depression and the role that Good Dog plays in my emotional survival.
________________________________________________________________

12.02.08

Hi Louie,

I know that you don't know me. I am a psychotherapist in Colorado. I work with folks who are struggling with addiction and mental illness. But that's not important. What I wanted to say to you today IS important. THANK-YOU for today’s "Daily Good Dog". It is EXACTLY what I needed to read and remember today. I am going through some stressful medical stuff and this gentle reminder was the universes way of reminding to not take it all so seriously.

I also appreciate your humor. If more of my clients could access these qualities, they may find greater joy in life and I would probably be out of a job! I know that we all can be "our own best therapist" and it sounds like the Daily Dog is yours.

THANKS AGAIN.
xxxxxxx

________________________________________________________________

Hello xxxxxxx,

Seems to me that we have some things in common, specifically that we can help others with positive suggestions, 'gentle reminders' as you put it. That said, this does not make us immune from needing support for ourselves. Far from it. In fact, Good Dog was born of my mental illness and remains the single most effective remedy.

This particular series (GOOD HEAD vs. BAD HEAD; Emotional Survival in Trying Times) addresses my own mental health challenges as I'm currently experiencing an intensely painful cycle of depression with some annoying mania as a side dish - a very disturbing combo plate. Good Dog plays a critically important role in my recovery in times like these.

For people that are not struggling with mental illness, The Dog can help inspire and motivate. For me, it can literally be the difference between life and death. Similar to an alcoholic (oh, I have that one too) who must keep alcohol out of their system, manic-depressives must keep their moods somewhat stable through medication, exercise, nutrition and talk therapy ... and my Daily Good Dog Feeding. A little too far off balance one way of the other can plummet me into life threatening depression, hyper mania or worse - both at the same time.

I always write about what I need. My friends know exactly where my head is at by reading The Dog of the day. Sometimes this feels a little too exposed but I usually fight the urge to edit my feelings and just throw it out there. I am like a doctor that operates on his own head, creating and consuming his own medicine. Without my Daily Good Dog Feeding, I think I would implode into a ball of quivering emotional jello.

Putting out The Dog helps me to focus outside of myself, immersing myself in inspiring, life-affirming thoughts, some of the most powerful words ever written. This was the case with this current series about 'emotional survival.'

A Typical Good Dog Day …
Once a week, I decide, after prayer and meditation, and a whole lot of consternation, which topic will be explored (as I usually focus on a single topic for 5 days).

On a typical morning, I’ll spend 3-4 hours reading 500-600 quotes (on average) on dozens of topics that compliment the week's subject, selecting roughly 10-15% to consider. These 60-100 quotes are then read and re-read, sorted and re-sorted, until I pick the top 5-6 quotes for each day.

Obviously, after spending so much time each day, with my head totally enmeshed with the greatest minds in history, their words, their wisdom, eventually seep into the cracks of my head, soothing the depression and slowing the mania … for a while. This is why I put out the Dog, every day, as Good Dog, quite literally, saves my life.

It was nice hearing from you. I always appreciate your comments as they are so real. You must be a very good psychotherapist and your patients, blessed.

Please feel free to drop me a note from time to time. Messages like yours are manna for my soul.

Best wishes,

Louie Rochon
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