What do people know about you? What don't they know? What are you afraid they'll know?
From personal friends to public followers, people know I'm a Public Speaking Professor and World Traveler. In fact, they know I'm a NATIONAL AWARD WINNING Public Speaking Professor and a 7 CONTINENT 121 Country World Traveler.
Why?
Because most people, including myself, BOLDLY HIGHLIGHT what we think society will proudly accept, applaud, adore, and admire ... and avoid announcing anything that may make others feel ashamed of us. So what if I shared a supposed stigma instead of a strength with all of you? I have bipolar II and major depressive disorder... no wait, I need to bold that.
I HAVE BIPOLAR II and MAJOR DEPRESSIVE DISORDER.
It's strange seeing what most would deem a weakness in bold, right?
For 2023, I will teach and travel much less. I will reflect much more. It's not time to seek new life experiences... it's time to share the ones I've already been blessed to have. I've had bipolar II and depression since I was 19.
Without it, I'm not a public speaking professor or world traveler. Simply, without it, there's no me.
*The title is "I Have Mental Illness", not "I Suffer From" or "I Struggle With".
If you like to find out more, here are the links to hear in audio or watch on video.
Thank you for reading this, I feel free. I am finally free. I like to end this piece from the way I started it.
What do people know about you? What don't they know? What are you afraid they'll know?
John D. Lin January 21, 2023 6:57AM
Happy Lunar New Year Everyone